Couple Arrested After Autistic Boy Found Locked In Room Covered In Urine

Del City Police are investigating a disturbing child neglect case.

According to the Del City Police Department, officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at a home in the 3200 block of Neighbors Lane Wednesday, May 9.

Upon arrival, officers spoke with 34-year-old Brandy McGrath and learned her husband, 34-year-old Kenneth Garris, had fled the scene. Police said Garris was found and brought back to the scene.

Officers said they learned three children, a 12-year-old autistic boy, an 11-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl were living in the home.

During the investigation, officers noticed two of the children’s bedrooms had padlocks on the outside of the doors. They made entry to one of the rooms where they discovered the 12-year-old autistic boy asleep, and the floor was covered in dog urine and feces. He also had a broken tooth. He told police that Garris punched him in the mouth.

Officers said in addition to the padlocks, the windows were also screwed shut and a surveillance camera was set up to watch the child.

McGrath admitted to police that she and Garris lock the 12-year-old in the room at night to “keep him from running away.”

Later, the other two children admitted to a DHS worker that McGrath locks the 12-year-old in the room for extended periods of time. The 6-year-old also said she lets him out of the room while no is home, but she has to "put him up" before the parents get home or she is locked up too.  

Officers also located marijuana in the home.

McGrath and Garris were both arrested.

McGrath is being charged with Enabling Child Abuse, three counts of Child Neglect, Possession of Marijuana and Maintaining a Place where CDS is Kept.

Garris is being charged with Child Abuse, three counts of Child Neglect, Domestic Assault and Battery in the Presence of a Minor, Possession of Marijuana, and Maintaining a Place where CDS is Kept.

An arrest warrant has also been issued for the grandmother of the autistic boy, Toni R. Hadley. Police said Hadley was aware of the abuse and the living conditions because she had been visiting for over a year.

Del City PD said they are also searching for Steven Hildebrant, who is father to two of the children and also lives at the home. Hildebrant is an unregistered sex offender, and  took off from the scene before police arrived.