Horrifying Discovery Of Naked Boy Padlocked In Cage Leads To 5 Arrests

Five people were arrested after Kentucky officials found a naked toddler locked inside a cage.

The Carrollton Police Department responded to a home in the 700 block of 7th Street after receiving a tip from the community about a child possibly being held in a cage. Officers found a boy under the age of 3 behind a wooden and metal enclosure secured with a padlock.

Law enforcement conducted a search of the property. Two children were removed from the home by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services after a preliminary investigation.

Officials arrested 71-year-old Brenda Chilton, 72-year-old William Mahoney, 29-year-old Codey Johnson, 52-year-old Tammy Simmons and 28-year-old Shelby Turocy. They are all facing charges of first-degree criminal abuse and wanton endangerment. Turocy is also charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

They are expected to be arraigned on the charges on Wednesday. They are all being held at the Carroll County Detention Center.

The incident is still under investigation.

Carrollton Police Department Detective Dave Roberts told WDRB that the tip came from a delivery driver who reported seeing the child locked in the caged area while making a stop at the house.

Roberts said the conditions at the home were also unsanitary.

“A child was behind there, completely unclothed,” Roberts said. “There was feces, and then you’re in that contained area.”

Officials also found eight to 10 dogs in poor health at the property.

The city declared the home uninhabitable. The children were placed in a family member’s home.

“If you see something, say something,” Roberts said. “This case serves as a reminder of the vital role that bystanders can play in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.”

Carrollton is located about 55 minutes northeast of Louisville. It is situated on the Ohio River near the mouth of the Kentucky River. It has a population of around 4,000. It is the largest city in Carroll County.

Kentucky has one of the highest rates of child abuse and neglect in the nation. A Statista report based on state submissions to National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) found that Kentucky had the 16th highest number of unique victims of child abuse in 2022. A total of 7,903 victims were reportedly abused in the state that year.

Texas and California had the highest number of unique victims of child abuse in 2022. Both states reported over 40,000 unique victims.

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