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A father in Alabama was arrested after he allegedly shackled his son to a bed frame during a “timeout” before he left for work and intentionally isolated his two children from others.
Authorities discovered the alleged abuse when a Tuscaloosa County school system coordinator and sheriff’s deputies reported to David Phillips’ home on August 17 to ask why he had not enrolled his children in school, according to court documents obtained by WVTM. Upon their arrival, they found “chains hanging from the bed frame and pills spilled on the floor under the bed.”
Phillips, 31, has been accused of abusing and handcuffing two of his children on several occasions between July 10 and August 17. His older child spoke to law enforcement and claimed that her younger brother had been shackled to a bed frame when Phillips went to work.
After the older child reported the abuse, Phillips allegedly whipped her for making the claims to police.
Following the school system coordinator and deputies’ visit, a child abuse and neglect investigation was launched based on evidence found in the home.
One investigator reported that they saw “chains hanging” and pills scattered on the floor, and deputies found a handcuff attached to the younger child’s ankle.
Authorities asked the boy about the handcuffs, and he allegedly said his father had restrained him before he left for work.
“Daddy had put him in a timeout before he left for work and he was stuck to the bed,” the child told officers, according to court documents viewed by the outlet.
Meanwhile, the daughter told investigators that Phillips used the handcuffs to punish her brother and chained him to the bed multiple times over the course of several months.
The daughter also claimed that Phillips isolated the children from friends and family while they were kept out of school and were not allowed to seek medical treatment.
After the August 17 visit, the Alabama Department of Human Resources took custody of both children, according to WVTM.
Once the investigation was completed, Phillips was arrested on Monday, November 9, and charged with torture, willful abuse of a child under 18 and aggravated abuse of a child under 6. He is currently being held in custody without bond.
It’s not currently clear whether Phillips has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding updates in the case.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
