Maryland Mom and Her Boyfriend Charged After Boy, 4, Was Found Locked in Feces-Covered Closet in Rodent-Infested Home

A Maryland couple has been charged with multiple counts of child abuse and neglect following the shocking discovery of a four-year-old boy who was found locked in a filthy closet. Kaylynn Nicole Moore, 28, and her boyfriend, James Earl Stone, 27, are now facing serious allegations after police were alerted to the situation on 20 July.

The incident unfolded in Callaway, where officers responded to a report suggesting that a child was being kept in a closet. Upon their arrival, authorities located the young boy confined in a closet secured with a bungee cord. The conditions inside were described as deplorable, with no source of light and a complete absence of any food.

According to the charging documents, which were obtained by WJZ Investigates, the boy was found nude and lying on a bed of debris, including rubbish and dirty diapers. The deputy on the scene noted that the closet’s walls were painted black, and the floor was obscured by various refuse, food wrappers, and faeces. The disturbing findings highlighted the potential dangers the child had been subjected to in his living environment.

Moore confessed to authorities that her son had been locked in the closet for approximately 12 hours each day over the past year. She explained that he would stay in the closet overnight and could only be released during the day when he knocked on the door or called out for her. The closet contained a television which appeared to be left on continuously, raising questions about the environment in which the child had been kept.

Stone, who also resided at the property, admitted to using the bungee cord to secure the closet door. Moore described her home as “so hazardous,” reporting an increase of rodent faeces and a cockroach infestation. The couple’s living situation was evidently detrimental, not just for the four-year-old, but also for the other children present in the household.

In total, there were four additional children living in the home, aged 11, 8, 1 and 7 months. Fortunately, after a medical evaluation, it was determined that the four-year-old required care, while the other children did not need immediate medical attention.

Moore indicated to the authorities that her son had special needs and justified confining him to the closet by stating he had a history of “eloping.” This admission raises further concerns about the couple’s understanding of proper care and parenting, particularly regarding the child’s specific requirements.

As a result of their actions, both Moore and Stone are facing serious legal repercussions. They have been charged with child abuse and seven counts of child neglect, reflecting the severity of the situation. The couple has since been taken to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown, where they await their bond hearings.

This alarming case shines a light on the often-hidden issues of child neglect and abuse within families. As investigations continue, the safety and wellbeing of the children involved remains a priority for local authorities. The swift response by law enforcement highlights the importance of community vigilance and reporting suspicious circumstances to ensure that vulnerable individuals receive the help they desperately need.