Three people have been arrested and are being held on child cruelty charges after police found a special-needs child locked in a cage in Murray County, Ga.
Police allegedly made the discovery Thursday morning when responding to a 911 call that reported a child had been left alone. When he knocked on the door, a deputy was met by a girl and and an adult female. Upon seeing that the child couldn't be home alone, he left. However, later that day, police received a 911 call from the same source, asking for help again. This time, the deputy went inside and encountered an 11-year-old boy with special needs locked inside a cage, according to ABC's Jacksonville affiliate First Coast News.
A second cage was also found on the property, and police believe it was used for a second child who was also found at the home, according to NBC News.
Investigators revealed that the cages were modified beds held together with zip ties and wooden slats.
Stephanie Stone, the child's mother, and Wanda Sue Redfern were also charged with false-imprisonment, according to The Dalton Daily Citizen. Another unnamed suspect was charged with possession of methamphetamine. All three remain in custody, and no bond has been set.
The sheriff's office held a press conference this morning.
Murray County, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations and the state Department of Family and Children's Services are investigating the case.
