Texas couple alllegedly kept malnourished boy, 5, in closet

A Houston-area couple is accused of keeping a severely malnourished 5-year-old boy inside the stairway closet of their home, reports CBS affiliate KHOU.

The couple, Bradley and Tammi Bleimeyer, have been charged with felony child endangerment, reports the station. Bradley Bleimeyer is the boy's father and Tammi Bleimeyer is reportedly the child's stepmother.

Investigators said the boy's 16-year-old brother found the child in a diaper in the small closet Thursday evening March 27 in the couple's Spring home. The teen confronted his father, and officers responded when the two began fighting.

By the time officers responded, however, they say the couple had already removed the child from the home. Friday, they used cell phone data to track the couple and the victim to a motel, where police say the boy's appearance caused authorities to immediately call emergency services and transport him to a hospital.

"He was severely under nourished, bone sticking out, bumps, bruises. His skin was coming off on his back. It's a horrific horrific situation," Assistant Chief Mark Herman told the station.

Bradley Bleimeyer remains in jail with no bond, and Tammi Bleimeyer's bond was set at $2,000, reports the station.