Kids reportedly locked in cages in Alabama home; 3 adults arrested

OPELIKA, Ala. (WHNT) -- A mother, grandmother and grandfather in Alabama were arrested Wednesday, accused of locking children in wooden cages Wednesday.

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones announced the arrests of Pamela Deloris Bond, 66; James H. Bond, 69; and Kylla Michelle Mann, 30. All three live in Smiths Station, a small city near the Alabama-Georgia border.

Sheriff's investigators responded to a report of possible child abuse at the home Monday, Jan. 13. Child welfare workers made contact with four children, ages 11, 10, 4 and 3.

While at the home, deputies noticed two wooden cages with locks. Investigators learned that the children had been locked in the cages multiple times. The sheriff's office released a photo of what appeared to be a wooden crib-shaped cage with a mattress and blanket inside. It had a slatted lid across the top that appeared to open and close.

Investigators said an 8-month-old child also lives at the home but was not there when deputies arrived. All five children have been placed in state Department of Human Resources custody.

The suspects were charged with two counts of aggravated abuse of a child less than 6 years of age and two counts of reckless endangerment. Pamela Bond is also charged with one count of tampering with physical evidence.