police officers found a malnourished 15-year-old boy chained to a bed railing at his parents' home Tuesday, police officials said. The boy's father, James Osborne III, and his stepmother, Christie Osborne, were charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect and were in jail as of yesterday afternoon, Lebanon Police Chief Scott Bowen said.
The teen ''was in a very poor condition,'' Bowen said. James Osborne ''said it's been going on for several months. He knew it was wrong.''
Bowen said his officers responded to a call from the Tennessee Department of Children's Services about an alleged child-abuse case and went to the home on Wilson Avenue to check it out.
As they entered, they saw the 15-year-old, who weighed 49 pounds, and his three siblings, who appeared to be fine, Bowen said. All four children have been placed in DCS custody.
''We found the child in an emaciated state,'' said Andrea Turner of DCS. ''He has lost a significant muscle weight.''
Police declined to release the teen's identity.
The Tennesseean
The teen ''was in a very poor condition,'' Bowen said. James Osborne ''said it's been going on for several months. He knew it was wrong.''
Bowen said his officers responded to a call from the Tennessee Department of Children's Services about an alleged child-abuse case and went to the home on Wilson Avenue to check it out.
As they entered, they saw the 15-year-old, who weighed 49 pounds, and his three siblings, who appeared to be fine, Bowen said. All four children have been placed in DCS custody.
''We found the child in an emaciated state,'' said Andrea Turner of DCS. ''He has lost a significant muscle weight.''
Police declined to release the teen's identity.
The Tennesseean