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Starved teen slept in cage, authorities say
Associated Press
Published March 10, 2005
JACKSONVILLE - Other residents on the quiet street saw new neighbors Wilson and Brenda Sullivan as friendly, the kind of people who would wave at them when they saw them in the yard.
They were shocked to learn of the Sullivans' arrest, after authorities removed a 17-year-old adopted son described as severely malnourished.
Officials say the youth weighed 49 pounds and stood 4 feet 6. They also say he was forced to sleep in a cagelike bed and that he suffered from psychosocial dwarfism: a lack of physical and emotional growth caused by abuse.
Like several other neighbors interviewed Wednesday, Summer Howell doesn't remember ever seeing the boy. She has lived next door to the Sullivans since they moved here in October.
"It does comes as a shock. I hope it turns out to be false. They seemed to be very nice," Howell said. Duval County Judge Brent Shore ordered Wilson Sullivan, 55, and Brenda Sullivan, 48, each held in lieu of $200,000 bail Wednesday on a charge of felony child neglect. Their next court appearance is March 30.
The son's name was not released. He and two adopted 10-year-olds - all with physical or mental disabilities, officials say - were taken from the home and placed in protective custody.
Child welfare workers went to the Sullivans' home Jan. 10 in response to a tip on a child abuse hotline. They found the 17-year-old wearing a diaper and appearing developmentally delayed, a police report said. The boy weighed about what a 61/2-year-old should, officials said.
Weintraub would not say whether the younger children were abused, but the state Department of Children and Families issued a statement saying the condition of the three children was a concern.
"Just because a child is alleged to have a certain condition doesn't mean his parents are responsible for it," said the Sullivans' attorney, Lee Lockett. He said he would seek a lower bail when the case goes to Duval Circuit Court.
[Last modified March 10, 2005, 01:14:16]
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