Florida mother Brenda Sullivan was sentenced to 20 years in prison on May 22, 2008 after keeping her 17 year old son in a cage and starving him until he was only 49 pounds.
She plead guilty in January of 2008 to three counts of child abuse.
Her adopted twin 13 year olds testified that they too were kept in cages. Sullivan's husband was also arrested but he died while awaiting trial.
Caged Teen Boy
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) received an anonymous tip in 2005. They began investigating allegations of child abuse in the Sullivan's home.
DCF Investigators found that Sullivan's adopted teenage son was forced to stay in an enclosed crib and was severely underweight. The information was passed over to the police, who immediately removed the boy and two other children from the home.
The Sullivan's were originally from Ohio but moved to Florida in 2004.
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References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Age 51 at time of sentencing
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Fact:
Sentenced to 20 years in prison
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Fact:
Plead guilty to three counts of aggravated child abuse
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Fact:
Child welfare found teen in 2005
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Fact:
Sullivan told judge Ohio authorities told her to keep in a crib
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Fact:
Teen had severe emotional and medical problems
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Fact:
Weighed just 49 pounds
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Fact:
Size of average nine year old at age 17
