Mom and dad locked young son with autism in storage trunk with urine-soaked blankets

A couple in Tennessee have been arrested and accused of locking a 7-year-old non-verbal boy with autism in a storage locker inside their home, which was described as “unsanitary” by authorities.

The Carter County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies discovered evidence of child abuse while serving a search warrant on an unrelated case at a residence on Blevins Hollow Road in Elizabethton, western Tennessee.

The couple, 36-year-old Mikki Dee Moody and 39-year-old Sean David Moody, were taken into custody and charged with aggravated child abuse, neglect and child endangerment.

The discovery was made on Thursday when deputies, along with agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), found the couple and the boy living in deplorable conditions at the home. During the search, Investigator Preston White noted that the home was in a severely unsanitary state, with exposed wiring protruding from wall outlets and animal and human feces scattered throughout the residence.

The most disturbing find was a brown storage trunk in the living room, which contained urine-soaked blankets, a pillow, half-eaten pizza and clothing stained with what appeared to be blood. Authorities believe the Moodys locked the young boy in this trunk, providing him with food before confining him.

Following their arrest, the couple was taken to the Carter County Jail. Mikki Moody has since posted a $75,000 bond, while Sean Moody remains incarcerated. The boy was placed in the custody of the Department of Children’s Services, who responded to the scene.

In addition to the charges related to the child, Sean Moody is also facing charges of abusing a vulnerable adult. The TBI reported that this charge stems from his mistreatment of his adult sister, who has a developmental disability.

Investigators received a tip about the abuse on August 7, which led them to determine that Sean Moody, who served as his sister’s caregiver, had been abusing her.

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The investigation continues, and both Sean and Mikki Moody could face additional charges as authorities gather more evidence.