A couple has been arrested after an 8-year-old girl was found locked in a cage. Cindy Patriarchias and Edmond Gonzales were arrested after the developmentally disabled girl was discovered in the cage the size of a crib while the rest of the family went to a movie. Fox News shared the details on Jan. 29.
Patriarchias, 33, and her boyfriend Gonzales, 37, are in custody after being charged with negiligently causing child abuse and permitting child abuse. There is not much information available on the situation at this time, but the reports indicate that Patriarchias had been trying to adopt the girl found locked in a cage.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that police were called to the home Friday evening to check on the young girl, as someone was worried she had been left home alone. The couple took the woman's other children to watch a movie at an elementary school. The family's mobile home was dark, and an hour later Cindy returned home and let officers into the home. That is when the police found a large wooden crate in the bedroom corner, with the young girl inside.
The girl found locked in the cage was apparently unharmed, but she does suffer from microcephaly. This is a neurological condition that leads to her having a smaller than normal head, and she has developmental issues. The cage was about the size of a baby crib, and it had a crib mattress inside with two latches on the door.
Reports do not indicate where the girl found locked in a cage is now, though it seems likely social services is now going to be working to find her a more suitable home. Indications are that the couple remains in custody at this time and have yet to enter pleas.
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