Nevada couple arrested after 11-year-old son with severe autism found in makeshift jail cell

The police in Henderson, Nevada, have arrested Jeffery Scanlan and Misty Scanlan on charges of child abuse after their 11-year-old son was found at their home in a metal cage with feces on the floor.

A truancy officer with the Clark County School District attended the Scanlan home on Tuesday to perform a welfare check as the boy had not attended school for a long time.

The officer didn’t get an answer at the door, but he heard a boy screaming and the rattling of a cage.

Officers from Henderson PD returned a short time later, and Jeffery Scanlan told the cops his children were sick.

However, when the officers entered, they found the 11-year-old in a metal cage, wearing only a diaper. The cage had feces on the floor and walls.

Following an extensive search of the premises, investigators found the home barely habitable. Garbage was strewn throughout the house; there were holes in the walls, and feces were smeared on the walls and floors. The cops described the scene as “inhospitable living conditions.”

The police reported finding bedrooms with no furniture except for a mattress and rooms with external locks to prevent people from getting out.

Henderson couple Jeffery and Misty Scanlan charged with child abuse for locking son in a cage

The cops arrested 46-year-old Misty Scanlan and 41-year-old Jeffery Scanlan, who were officially charged with one count of child abuse/neglect. The couple have since posted bond and are due to attend court on May 14.

Jeffery Scanlan reportedly told the cops that his son had been diagnosed with severe autism spectrum disorder and that he regularly exhibited violent behavior. Scanlan said the cage was used as a punitive measure when the boy’s behavior got out of control.

The couple said they had received service referrals from the school but hadn’t acted upon them as they didn’t know “where to start” and didn’t want strangers in the house.

Misty Scanlan told officers that one of their children could be very violent and aggressive and that they usually try to stay on top of the cleaning but have recently fallen behind.

Henderson police say Jeffery and Misty Scanlan failed to seek help with their children

A police statement accused the couple of not doing enough to seek help: “While Jeffery and Misty both indicated they were doing what they could with the situation that was in front of them, it was clear based on their statements that Jeffery and Misty had repeatedly failed to acquire or seek services for assistance with the struggles they experienced.”

Neighbors told reporters that they occasionally heard banging coming from the home but that the family was generally very quiet, and they were shocked by the arrests.

The Henderson police stressed that this is still an open investigation and that they would not be releasing any further information at that stage.

The cops asked anyone with any information about this case to please call the Henderson Police Department at 702-267-4911, 3-1-1, or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or visit the Crime Stoppers website.