Kids In A Basement
Two children allegedly forced to live in a basement by their foster parents were so badly neglected they had no idea what a refrigerator was. The youngsters, both aged under 15, were 'amazed by what a refrigerator does when they observed one in their foster home,' according to investigators who rescued them over the weekend.
Their foster parents, Shirley and Michael Gray, are accused of neglecting them and two other children at their dilapidated home in Roane County, Tennessee. They cared for a 15 year-old boy, a 10 year-old girl who died while in confinement in 2017, and two other children aged under 15, one of whom was confirmed to be a boy. The Grays, who have since been arrested, reportedly fed their two youngest surviving victims white bread and water, made them use a bucket for a toilet, and pages of a magazine to wipe themselves afterwards.
Two of the children experienced stunted growth after being made to live in a wire cage, and were later moved into a concrete box under the Grays' stairs, it is alleged. They were allowed to leave confinement periodically, with passers-by spotting one boys walking along a road near his home last Friday, and calling 911 after growing concerned by his physical condition.
The Grays' foster daughter died while in confinement in 2017, when she was 10 years old. She was locked in the basement as a punishment for stealing bread, and died several months later. They Grays are then said to have buried her in their back yard. A cause of death has yet to be established, with the couple so far facing neglect of a corpse charges over the youngster's death. Prosecutors say they are likely to face further allegations in relation to the little girl's death.
Knox News reported that the abuse began four years ago when the Grays moved to the area from Meridian, Mississippi. Soon afterwards, their 15 year-old foster son was confined to the basement, where he had been kept until he was discovered by police, and made to subside on plain bread and water.
All four children had been homeschooled, with none of the three survivors receiving medical or dental attention since arriving in Roane County. Shirley Gray produced paperwork she claimed proved the children were up to date with learning targets, but investigators believe the youngsters have also had their education completely neglected.
No motive for the abuse has been given.
The couple face charges including aggravated child abuse and aggravated child kidnapping, and have been held in jail ahead of their next court appearance.
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Source: https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/28/children-locked-basement-years-12771147/
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