Couple Arrested for Allegedly Keeping Teen with Autism ‘Locked in a Chicken Coop’
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Jammy-Jackson-Patricia-Madrid-tout-030425-111ce32e5d6b47fa90410e56bdddb988.jpg)
In a shocking incident, a couple from New Mexico has been arrested on charges of inhuman treatment towards a child with autism. Jammy Jackson, 59, and Patricia Madrid, 36, were charged with 14 felony counts, including child abuse and conspiracy to commit child abuse, as reported by the Farmington Police Department. The couple allegedly subjected the teenage girl to horrific conditions, including locking her in a chicken coop for extended periods of time.
The distressing case came to light after authorities received a referral from Child Protective Services expressing concerns about the child’s welfare on September 16. Reports indicated that the victim, who is autistic and has ADHD, was confined in a chicken coop and subjected to harsh weather conditions. Detectives swiftly took action, removing the child from the perpetrators’ home and initiating an investigation into the matter.
According to information from an arrest warrant shared by various news outlets, the abuse of the autistic girl reportedly spanned from November 2023 to September 2024. The victim disclosed that she was forced to ask for permission from Jackson and Madrid even to use the restroom. When she attempted to do so without consent, they allegedly retaliated by locking her up in the coop for prolonged periods, exposing her to extreme temperatures during summer and winter months.
Throughout her ordeal, the teenager was deprived of proper sustenance, being allowed to eat only once a day. Her diet reportedly consisted mainly of noodles, ice cream, and occasionally a banana, with the teenager resorting to pilfering vegetables from a neighbouring garden to alleviate her hunger. Text messages between the accused further substantiated the victim’s claims, with Madrid instructing not to feed the girl until she was desperate for food, and suggesting to confine her when they were away.
In a disturbing revelation, the teen disclosed to a forensic interviewer that Jackson had once held a gun to her head, threatening to end her life. He allegedly asserted that he wouldn’t hesitate to kill someone, equating her demise to that of an animal. Despite the grave allegations, both Jackson and Madrid denied the accusations, citing the girl’s purported falsehoods.
The couple adamantly maintained their innocence, asserting that the teenager chose to be outside and play rather than stay indoors. Madrid claimed in a video obtained by news channels that they did not confine the girl to the chicken coop, shifting the blame onto the victim’s decisions. While Jackson indicated that counselling was being sought for the teen to address personal hygiene concerns and self-care.
Following their arrest, Jackson and Madrid were released from the San Juan County Detention Center, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for February 26. The Farmington Police Department continues to investigate the matter. This incident underscores the importance of vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable individuals and the necessity of swift intervention in cases of suspected abuse or neglect.
This harrowing tale is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of individuals with disabilities and the critical need for robust safeguarding measures within communities. As the investigation progresses, authorities are working diligently to ensure justice is served and that the victim receives the necessary care and support. Cases like these serve as a sobering call to action for the protection of vulnerable members of society.