In a harrowing case of long-term abuse in Texas, a former 51-year-old jail corporal identified as Richard R. and his 52-year-old wife, Nora R., were arrested after authorities say they locked their adopted 15-year-old son in a room for nearly ten years, denying him access to food, water, and a bathroom. The teenager was reportedly imprisoned since the age of five, emerging only for small meals and subjected to beatings whenever he misbehaved. Despite the serious claims, both adoptive parents were released on bond just one day after being arrested.
Richard, a jail corporal for the sheriff’s office, and his wife, Nora, were both charged with one count of wrongful detention of a child under the age of 17. The arrest occurred after police attended to a welfare check at the couple’s residence last week. A report had warned of potential neglect and confinement of a child within the home. Officers arrived at the home and spoke with the teenager, who was initially hesitant to speak freely in front of his adoptive parents. But ultimately, he detailed the terrible and lonely conditions he had lived in for the majority of his life.
The teen said that he had been kept in his bedroom every night since he was five years old and would not be let out until his adoptive parents awoke, which could be as late as noon. Without a bathroom, he had to release himself in bottles or plastic bags. Officers observed that the room had numerous obvious stains. The only furniture in the room was a bed with a mattress pad, a blanket, and an empty desk. The door handle had also been reversed, so it could only be locked from the outside.
According to the report, his daily regimen included waking up about 8 a.m., waiting for hours to be let out, eating lunch, and three hours of homeschooling. After chores, he’d be confined in the room until dinnertime, when he’d be let out briefly to eat before being shut in for the night. The boy said that he didn’t have a television, phone, or computer and spent much of his time napping or waiting. He stated that even little “infractions” would result in him being punched in the arms and back or struck with a back scratcher. The last time he was punished was when his parents realized he had covertly spent their money on a phone to call for help. They allegedly starved him for two days.
Following the unsettling revelations, the police department’s Crimes Against Children Unit took up the investigation. The pair was detained and processed at the county detention center. Both posted a $100,000 bond and were released the next day. Although bond has been posted, it is unknown when Richard and Nora will appear in court. The tragedy has horrified the local community and highlighted the vulnerabilities of adopted children, who may suffer in silence for years.
As the inquiry continues, many people wonder how a child could go undiscovered for a decade, particularly in the house of a former law enforcement official. The boy is currently in protective custody, and authorities have not said whether additional charges will be made or if there were other children involved.