See the next page for the identities and mug shots of the parents slapped with felonies in the case.
ORIGINAL POST, JULY 2, 8:35 A.M.: The parents of a severely autistic child who'd been kept caged in their Anaheim home were arrested last night, and the boy and his younger siblings were taken into protective custody.
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Felony imprisonment and child-endangerment counts are now hanging over the heads of the parents, who are from Vietnam and do not speak English fluently. Their 11-year-old boy is unable to communicate in any language, according to police.
A tip to Child Protective Services (CPS) about a child being caged in a residence in the 1300 block of Garrett Street led police to the single-family home around 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to Lt. Bob Dunn, the Anaheim Police spokesman.
Dunn told City News Service reports of the boy's length of time in the cage, which is normally used to house a pet, ranged from months to years. The child had apparently become too difficult to control, so the parents resorted to the cage, Dunn added.
Care workers are going to try to figure out how to communicate with the boy, who is in the custody of CPS along with his 10-year-old brother and 8-year-old sister. All three appeared to be in good health.
UPDATE, JULY 2, 11:27 A.M.: The parents who were arrested have been identified as father Loi Vu, 40, and mother Tracy Le, 35.
“The preliminary investigation revealed information that the victim's parents may have resorted to placing their son in the dog kennel to help control his behavior and frequent 'outbursts' relating to his autism,” reads a statement from Anaheim Police Lt. Bob Dunn.
“The victim was otherwise healthy and appeared to be having his basic needs met.”
The kennel inside the home contained a mattress with bedding, Dunn added.
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