MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A mother and stepfather are charged with neglect and malicious punishment of a child after authorities say they forced their 15-year-old son to live in poor conditions.
Forty-one-year-old Angela Danner and her husband, 44-year-old Gregory Danner, were charged Tuesday in Dakota County Court for forcing the teen to stay in his bedroom, which was a dark room with no outside light and no bed. The room is also under constant video surveillance.
According to the criminal complaint, Eagan Police began their investigation on April 2, after discovering the teen had his bed and lights removed from his room as punishment.
He told officers that his mom and stepdad severely limit his showers and told him if he wants his clothes cleaned, he could ask his father to buy detergent and then clean them in the bathtub and sink.
He said he is required to stay in his room at all times when he is home, except that he may leave the room to go to the bathroom, according to the charges. He said he’s forced to do hundreds of military-style push-ups every day and has been doing extreme exercises since he was 12 or 13 years old. He said he’s been forced to do between 1,500-2,000 push-ups per day.
The teen also said he’s been forced to run outside in very cold conditions for several miles. He said his mom and stepdad call it “therapy.”
He said his sister brings him peanut butter sandwiches every night but he’s not allowed to bring his plate to the kitchen — he is to leave the plate on the stairs for someone else to take to the kitchen.
Police continue to investigate.
