LAS VEGAS, NV – In a disturbing case of child neglect, two Nevada parents have admitted to confining their 11-year-old son, who has autism, inside a cage-like enclosure for six years, a situation unearthed by a truancy officer’s visit to their home. Jeffery and Misty Scanlan pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor child neglect charge, according to court records made public last week.
The troubling scenario came to light on April 23 after a local truancy officer launched an inquiry regarding the boy’s prolonged absence from school. Upon arriving at the residence, the officer reported hearing the cries of a child and the sound of a gate clanking from within. Despite knocking, no one immediately answered the door, leading to further alarm.
After about 40 minutes, Jeffery Scanlan appeared and granted entry to the officer. What greeted him was a shocking sight: a significant enclosure outfitted with metal bars, reminiscent of a jail cell, with a young boy inside clad only in a diaper. The conditions were squalid, with feces smeared on the floor and walls.
Misty Scanlan, when questioned by officers, admitted she had neglected to clean the enclosure for several weeks, citing the family’s unusually hectic schedule. Jeffery Scanlan identified the boy as his son, revealing that he suffers from severe autism spectrum disorder.
Besides the boy, three other children resided in the home, with one necessitating hospitalization. The remaining children were placed with family members by Child Protective Services (CPS), as documented by law enforcement.
The police report further described the home’s unsanitary state, including a bedroom in complete disarray with holes in the walls, trash scattered, and an external lock that prevented egress from inside. The family locked another child, described as an “escape artist” with autism, in her room at night and secured her shirt to her diaper with duct tape to restrain her behaviors.
Jeffery told authorities that they felt overwhelmed and didn’t know how to begin seeking help, expressing discomfort with the idea of strangers entering their home. However, police noted a persistent failure by the parents to pursue appropriate assistance for their special needs children, reflecting grave neglect.
Statements from CPS underscored that the Scanlans deliberately placed their children in perilous situations and deplorable conditions, posing direct threats to their well-being. The agency criticized the couple’s consistent neglect to seek appropriate support.
The Scanlans are set for sentencing in March as they await the court’s decision regarding the neglect charge.
