BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A southern Texas couple accused of locking the woman's 12-year-old daughter in a closet for about a year except to attend school have been arrested.
Jail records show that 43-year-old Alfredo Ines and 40-year-old Leticia Ines are being held on charges of unlawful restraint and injury to a child. Neither has an attorney.
Police say the girl was released to attend school, eat or use the bathroom in the family's tiny Brownsville home. Investigators say she appeared malnourished, and would do her homework by light coming from beneath the closet door.
Child Protective Services investigated after one of her three brothers alerted school officials. Police say the girl's mother claimed they were trying to keep her from stealing food from the refrigerator.
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