BROOKVILLE, PA – Authorities in Jefferson County have arrested two women accused of repeatedly abusing their adopted teenage son, subjecting him to months of alleged physical and psychological torment that left the boy severely malnourished.
Amy L. Billotte, 51, and Sarah Lynn Faber, 37, each face over 950 criminal charges following an investigation that began when the 16-year-old boy appeared at his school in early September, noticeably frail. School staff, alarmed by his condition and significant weight loss, alerted local law enforcement, sparking a wide-ranging probe into the boy’s home life.
According to law enforcement, the charges include hundreds of counts of unlawful restraint and false imprisonment of a minor, along with endangering the welfare of a child, assault, and making terroristic threats. The charges reflect months of alleged mistreatment endured by the teenager, during which he is reported to have lost approximately 20 pounds.
Investigators say the boy recounted being confined for extended hours in his bedroom, which was stripped of any books, toys, or electronics. The room was monitored at all times by surveillance cameras, equipped with highly sensitive motion sensors. When the boy moved too much, it reportedly triggered angry reactions from the two women.
The investigation further revealed allegations that the boy was subjected to forceful punishment. On multiple occasions, he was allegedly stripped of his clothing and forced to take cold showers. Police reports state that he was made to spend a week living in the basement clad only in his underwear and, on some occasions, was duct-taped to the basement floor.
The boy described even more harrowing incidents, stating that the suspects had cut his arm and genitals with a sharp blade, causing significant bleeding. He also told officers that Billotte and Faber threatened to harm him by squirting cat insulin into his eyes.
Following these revelations, child protective services intervened, removing the teen from the Brookville residence. He was immediately taken to a hospital where medical staff helped him regain lost weight over several weeks. According to authorities, the boy’s weight dropped to 79 pounds during the alleged abuse.
In interviews with investigators, the teenager said his early memories of life with Billotte and Faber were positive. He recalled being read bedtime stories and engaging with toys and books. However, circumstances deteriorated, starting with new restrictions on what he could eat. The women began by eliminating sugar from his diet, claiming it contributed to hyperactivity, and escalated to withholding other foods, ultimately depriving him of sufficient nutrition. There were also times, the boy said, when he was forced to sleep on the floor without a mattress, and at least twice, he was restrained with duct tape to the bedroom floor.
Both suspects were arrested on Tuesday and are being held in Jefferson County Prison, each in lieu of a $500,000 bond. Court records show their preliminary hearings have been scheduled for December 19.
Officials say the investigation is ongoing. The teen remains in protective custody and is reportedly in stable condition as authorities continue to gather evidence in what they describe as a deeply disturbing case of alleged child abuse.
