DETROIT (AP) – The father and stepmother of a Detroit boy are in jail after prosecutors charged them with torture and child abuse in an unusual case that began last year when they claimed he had disappeared.
Not-guilty pleas were entered Friday by a magistrate as Charlie Bothuell IV and Monique Dillard-Bothuell appeared in court by video from jail. No defense lawyers were present. Bond was set at $500,000.
They’re accused of physically abusing 13-year-old Charlie Bothuell V and forcing him to live in the basement. That’s where he was found last June after a highly publicized 11-day search by police. His father claimed he had disappeared.
Charlie was 12 at the time. His father and stepmother have denied any abuse.