DETROIT – A judge could hear testimony from a Detroit boy who accused his father and stepmother of abuse after he turned up in the basement following an 11-day search by police.
A hearing resumes Wednesday to determine if Charlie Bothuell (BAHTH'-yoo-ehl) and Monique Dillard-Bothuell will go to trial. They deny charges of torture and child abuse and say they didn't know the boy, also named Charlie Bothuell, was in the basement.
Prosecutors say he was isolated, struck with a plastic pipe, forced to perform rigorous workouts and given a limited diet. Charlie was missing in June before authorities found him in the basement during a highly publicized search.
Dr. Dena Nazer (NAH'-zur) testified Tuesday that she believes Charlie told the truth when he said his life was threatened by his stepmother.
