Cops: Md. couple kept autistic adult sons locked in basement

WASHINGTON -- Montgomery County police say a Maryland couple kept their autistic, 22-year-old twin sons locked in a basement room with no furniture and only a tiny window for light.

Court records show that 57-year-old John Land and 59-year-old Janice Land, of Rockville, Md., were arrested and charged Friday with two counts each of vulnerable adult abuse and attempted false imprisonment. They are currently free on bond.

Charging documents state that police went to the home to serve an unrelated search warrant Thursday and noticed a strong smell of urine.

CBS DC reports the basement room where the men stayed had no furniture, no bathroom, no working lights and only a comforter covering the bare tile floor, according to police. The Washington Post reports the doors were allegedly locked from the outside with a deadbolt and a padlock.

John Land allegedly told police his sons were non-verbal and sometimes ran away. He allegedly told investigators the couple began locking them in from 10 p.m. to 4:45 a.m. about six years ago.

Their mother allegedly denied any knowledge that the men were locked in.

The Post reports paramedics took the twins from the home for medical evaluation.