A 24-year-old mother in upstate New York is facing child endangerment charges after police found her 2-year-old son in a cage at their home covered in feces and suffering from multiple broken bones. New York State Police made the arrest after discovering the toddler living in deplorable conditions with fractured ribs and bruising on his body. The police learned about the child’s condition while visiting the family’s Buffalo home to serve a felony arrest warrant for the woman in connection to a separate crime.
Investigators found the 2-year-old in a makeshift cage inside a bedroom, which was actually a playpen covered by a piece of a crib tied to the top, preventing the child from standing or exiting. The cage and the child were covered in human fecal matter, and there was fecal matter on the walls as well. Additionally, the child and bedding were soaked in urine and fecal matter. Investigators also found remains of food, such as chicken bones, inside the cage, indicating the unsanitary conditions the child was living in.
The child was immediately taken to a children’s hospital by EMS after Child Protective Services were contacted. Doctors at the hospital discovered that the baby had bruising on his face and body, as well as two fractured ribs in stages of healing, suggesting that the ribs had been broken for at least 10 days. The woman claimed that the injuries were due to the child falling down stairs between late December 2023 and early January 2024, and that she did not seek medical assistance for the child.
The mother was arrested on child endangerment charges and transported to a police station in Clarence. It is not clear if she is out on bond or if she has obtained legal representation. The woman’s identity is being protected by USA TODAY to safeguard the child’s identity. The case highlights the serious consequences of child neglect and abuse, and the importance of reporting such cases to authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of young children like the 2-year-old boy found in the cage in New York.
The horrific discovery of the child in such appalling conditions is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by children who are subjected to neglect and abuse in their own homes. It is a disturbing case that sheds light on the urgent need for intervention in cases of suspected child abuse. The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and further details about the woman’s charges and potential legal proceedings will likely emerge as the case progresses.
Child protective services play a crucial role in safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable children and ensuring that they are removed from harmful environments. Cases like this serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and reporting any signs of child abuse or neglect to the authorities. The health and safety of children should always be a top priority, and communities must work together to protect the most vulnerable members of society from harm and mistreatment.
