Wilson and Brenda Sullivan’s 17 year old mentally handicapped adopted son was found caged in a crib by investigators responding to an anonymous tip. He was severely malnourished and weighed only 49 pounds, less than what he weighed when the couple had adopted him at age 7 ten years prior. Two other adopted children, aged 10, were kept in similar cages. The family homeschooled. The couple had been praised for their willingness to adopt special needs children by the governor himself in 1995. Wilson died before the trial was completed, and Brenda was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Date: March 8, 2005
Location: Jacksonville, Ohio
| Documents: | Date: |
| Mom who caged kids gets 20 years | 2008-05-23 |
| Mom who caged teen son gets 20 years behind bars | 2008-05-23 |
| State Witness Calls Caged Teen Case Worst Child Abuse She’s Seen | 2008-03-14 |
| LAW & DISORDER: Mother faces 20 years for keeping adopted son in cage | 2008-02-08 |
| Parents Of 49-Pound Teen Plead Not Guilty To Abuse Charges | 2005-03-30 |
| Police: Parents Forced Malnourished Teen To Sleep In Locked Cage | 2005-03-09 |
| Neighbors Shocked By Reports Of Neglect | 2005-03-09 |
| Police: 17-Year-Old Foster Child Weighing 49 Pounds Found In ‘Cage’ | 2005-03-08 |
