Boy found in basement after search could testify in hearing

Author: Associated Press
Published: Updated:
Detroit Police Department)/ MGN

DETROIT (AP) – More testimony is expected today at a hearing in the case of a Detroit father and stepmother accused of torture and abuse after the man’s son was found in their basement following an 11-day search by police.

The hearing is to determine if Charlie Bothuell (BAHTH’-yoo-ehl) and Monique Dillard-Bothuell will go to trial. They deny the charges and say they didn’t know the boy, also named Charlie Bothuell, was there. The boy could testify.

Prosecutors say he was struck with a plastic pipe, forced to perform rigorous workouts and given a limited diet. Charlie went missing in June.

Detroit Police officer Lori Dillon testified Wednesday that she hugged the “hesitant” boy after he was discovered amid boxes.  The pipe that investigators say Charlie’s father used to beat the now-13-year-old boy also was introduced as evidence.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.