Police: Couple Used Dog Shock Collar on Son, Caged Kids During Drug Use
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A boy was locked up in a small dog cage when he was being punished and while his father used drugs, and he sometimes had to wear a shock collar, authorities said.
His parents appeared briefly in court Thursday on charges of child endangerment and making or selling drugs in front of the boy, 10, and his 5-year-old brother.
Jessica Botzko, 28, and John Westover, 37, were arrested Wednesday, a day after the boys were left alone at home and ran away. They were found on a neighbor's porch.
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The older boy told officers that he left because he was tired of being locked up, Carroll said.
The cage was less than 2 feet high and 2 feet wide, and had a chain across the top with two locks on each end, he said.
"He had to tuck his knees into his chest, and he fell asleep in there on a couple occasions," Carroll said. "It wasn't continuous. It was probably on and off for punishment."
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Court documents say the 10-year-old boy was repeatedly shocked at the family's home through a remote-controlled collar meant as a training device for animals.
Police searched the family's mobile home and found it filled with garbage, Carroll said.
It was not yet clear whether his brother was caged, Carroll said.
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The boys were in state custody.
The parents' hearings were continued because neither had a lawyer. They remained in jail.
Authorities said Westover had an extensive criminal record and was wanted on a child endangering charge in suburban Toledo.
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Another Ohio couple, Michael and Sharen Gravelle of Norwalk, were convicted in February of child abuse and endangerment for keeping some of their 11 special-needs adopted children in wire and wood enclosures.