Two Indiana parents are facing neglect charges after their 10-year-old son was discovered by police to be severely underweight and bearing scars and marks on his wrists that appeared to be from restraints. Allegations of neglect concerning nutrition and child abuse have been raised.
Melody Rose Greenwood, 38, and Adam Jon Greenwood, 36, were granted release on bonds of $15,000 and $10,000 respectively, as the county prosecutor deliberates on whether to proceed with legal action against them, as reported by The Star Press.
As per an affidavit, some of the boy’s seven siblings supported his claim of being confined to a restricted diet, limited to only canned food without any snacks, while the rest of the family indulged in regular meals like cheeseburgers and fast food.
The boy and his sibilings reported that he was forced to stand against a wall for up to 12 hours a day — with a towel over his head to prevent him from “watching TV or playing video games” while his siblings were told to “beat him up” if he moved from the wall.
His mother reportedly used zip ties to bind his wrists, creating the scars seen by the officers.
Melody Greenwood told police that she homeschooled her hildren, but one child said that entailed the older siblings reading three chapters of a book to them every day.
She was charged with three counts of neglect, and her husband was charged with two.
It’s not clear when Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman will make a decision about formal charges against the Greenwoods.
It’s also not clear if the children are still stuck in the home with these parents.
