Teen Handcuffed in Basement; Will Stay With Foster Parents

A mentally-challenged teenager was handcuffed in a darkened basement at his father's house, where Kansas City police found him.

The 17-year-old boy told the police that he was handcuffed and put in basement since September and fed on oatmeal, Ramen noodles and two bologna sandwiches. He also told police that he was unlocked only twice a day to go to the bathroom.

The call was about a 14-year-old boy reportedly chained to a pole. When authorities arrived, the child's stepmother said a 17-year-old lived in the home, but was asleep in his basement bedroom.

According to NBC2, the police responded to a call by the victim's neighbour and went on a welfare check with the Missouri Department of Social Services. As the officers went to the basement to talk to the boy, they heard a voice repeatedly saying, "I didn't do anything. I didn't do anything."

Police saw the frail and thin boy lying in the fetal position on the concrete floor.

The Guardian Express reports that the victim's stepmother told his friends that he was out of town whenever they asked about him. The teen was taken to a hospital, treated and is now in the custody of Clay County Children's Deivision.

However, in a cutody hearing Thursday, judge ruled that the boy will remain in protective custody with his foster parents. Fox 4 News reported that the boy's father, David L Martin, was seated five chairs away from his son, but did not say anything. The boy told the judge that he enjoyed being with his foster parents.

The biological mother of the boy, who lives in Missouri, did not attend the custody hearing. The hearing is on March 7.

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