9 arrested after 3-year-old Indiana girl found locked inside wooden box
PULASKI COUNTY, Ind. — Nine people face charges after police say a 3-year-old girl was locked inside a wooden box for extended periods of time, reports CBS affiliate WSBT.
According to CBS affiliate WLFI, police were alerted to the possible abuse through an inmate at Westville Correctional Facility whose calls were being monitored.
After getting a search warrant, deputies said they found a girl locked inside a filthy plywood box reportedly kept in the living room. Authorities said the 3-year-old would be kept inside it for extended periods of time.
Police found multiple adults inside the home, as well as vehicles and a camper outside the home – all of whom were transported to jail.
Three people, including the girl’s father and stepmother, were arrested for neglect of a dependent and six others living on the property face charges for failure to report.
“Nobody spoke up about a little girl in the box. Even as we were taking them out of the house, no one spoke up and said, ‘Hey, there’s a little girl over here in the box,’” Sheriff Jeff Richwine said.
Five juveniles and the 3-year-old girl were taken into the custody of the Indiana Department of Child Services in Pulaski County.