A 7-year-old boy from Russellville, Arkansas is now recovering in the hospital after being found in what police described as a “near-death” state. He weighed just 28 pounds — less than many toddlers — and had been locked in a small closet, police say.
A Shocking Discovery
Police and child protection workers were called to the home after someone raised concerns. What they found was heartbreaking. The boy was extremely thin, pale, and too weak to stand. A closet had been turned into a place of punishment — the child was tied up inside, surrounded by urine, feces, and filth.
The parents, Chris Freeman, 39, and Katelyn Freeman, 27, were arrested and charged with first-degree battery and endangering the welfare of a minor. They are now in jail, with their bail set at $100,000 each.
Plenty of Food, But None for Him
What shocked officers even more was that the family wasn’t poor or struggling. Police say the home had food and money — but the 7-year-old was intentionally starved and left to suffer.
Another child in the house told police that both he and his brother were tied up with rope as punishment. They were locked in the closet regularly. The 7-year-old’s condition was so severe that doctors feared he might not survive.
Doctors and Police React
When the child was brought to the hospital, medical staff said he was in critical condition. One officer said the boy looked like “a skeleton with skin.” He was immediately transferred to a hospital in Little Rock for emergency care.
Russellville Police Chief David Ewing said, “This was one of the worst cases we’ve ever seen. It’s heartbreaking.” He added that the boy had likely been abused and neglected for years.
What Happens Now
The boy is still in the hospital, slowly recovering. Child protective services are now involved, and all children in the home have been removed for safety.
Officials are urging the public to report any signs of child abuse. Even when a home looks normal from the outside, things can be very different behind closed doors.
This case is a sad reminder that some children suffer in silence — and it’s up to all of us to speak up when something seems wrong.
