An 11-year-old boy who was confined to his room by his mother has been rescued following the discovery of his emaciated and feces-covered condition.
Rachel Nicole Blaylock, 40, was apprehended by authorities in Baytown, Texas, after responding to a distress call for a welfare check on her child at their mobile home.
Upon entering the residence, an officer reported encountering a swarm of flies and a potent stench of excrement that was overwhelming. The child, who is non-verbal and autistic, was found in his bedroom weighing only 46 pounds (20kg) with fecal matter on his skin and under his fingernails.
Investigators revealed that the boy was confined using a screen door that locked from the outside, preventing him from leaving the room while enabling Blaylock to monitor him.
Describing the scene, the officer noted the boy’s bedroom as unkempt and his mattress as soiled with fecal matter present throughout.
Court documents detailed an exchange where Blaylock refused to take her son to the hospital, expressing frustration with medical professionals. Subsequently, doctors diagnosed the child with severe autism and severe dental issues, attributing them to neglect. Blaylock faces charges of injury to a child and possession of methamphetamine in a separate incident, with a set bond of $250,000 (£186,000).
The boy’s grandmother lodged a complaint stating that he was frequently confined to his room for extended periods, preventing her from providing him with food or water. She mentioned his lack of attendance at school due to being untrained in toiletry matters and his tendency to remove his clothing.
The grandmother criticized Blaylock’s parenting, claiming she had little interaction with her son. Additionally, records indicated that Child Protective Services had previously advised Blaylock to seek medical attention for the child upon discovering his low weight.
The average weight for an 11-year-old boy in the US is 79 pounds (35kg).