A Wyoming couple is accused of keeping a 7-year-old child inside a metal cage outdoors for three weeks, local newspaper the Laramie Boomerang reported.
Jena Harman, the child's mother, and Alexander Smith allegedly forced the child to eat, sleep and go to the bathroom in the cage kept outside their Albany County home. Deputies received a tip on July 23 that a child was being abused and arrived at the property to find a cot, toothbrush, clothing and a bucket inside the 5-foot tall cage.
The 7-year-old, whose name has not been released, told Albany County sheriffs of being forced to sleep in the cage overnight, sometimes in the rain, on and off for three weeks.
Harman and Smith were arrested July 24 and were charged with one count of child abuse and three counts of felonious restraint, according to court documents obtained by the newspaper.
The mother apparently called the 6-foot wide cage a playpen and said the child was kept there due to misbehavior, the court documents said. Smith told police he did not like the child but kept the child in the cage for safety reasons, according to an affidavit.
A metal chain and a "dog-leash-style latch" were also found with the cage that was made out of cattle paneling.
The abuse has reportedly been going on for months. According to an October 2013 report from the state Department of Family Services, an agent said the child admitted to not eating for several days and was forced to stay outside for hours at a time, the Associated Press reported.
Smith is scheduled to appear in Circuit Court on Thursday for a preliminary hearing to determine if his case belongs in District Court. Harmon's case was already sent to District Court.
The couple is being held on $100,000 bond at the Albany County Detention Center. Both face up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
