Teen Whose Parents Allegedly Made Him Live In 8×8 Box Testifies About ‘Dehumanizing’ Experience

The boy, who has not been named and was 14 on the time of his dad and mom’ arrests in 2022, took the stand within the case towards his father on Wednesday. Whereas he described the alleged mistreatment as “dehumanizing,” he additionally mentioned he believed his dad and mom made a “mistake” and others ought to “forgive them and transfer on.”

The field contained in the storage of Ferriter’s Florida house was found after the teenager ran away in January 2022. Police had already been alerted in regards to the room by contractors who constructed it; as soon as authorities discovered the boy, he allegedly informed cops it was the place he was confined for anyplace as much as 16-18 hours. An identical construction was allegedly constructed within the household’s earlier Arizona house as effectively; the boy allegedly had no different bed room in both house.

In courtroom on Wednesday, the Ferriters’ son testified the windowless 8×8 room was constructed contained in the storage. The construction had a twin mattress on a concrete flooring, no home windows and each an air conditioner and lights he could not management, he mentioned. The boy claimed he was typically stored in whole darkness, with locks on the surface stopping him from leaving on his personal.

“It had a bucket for my urine and feces and that was it,” he added, saying the room would typically odor “putrid.” He additionally claimed he “obtained water sometimes however not frequently.”

When requested by prosecutors how being within the room made him really feel, he mentioned, “To me, being locked in a room, it is dehumanizing. It is nearly as unhealthy as genocide. It is saddening, to abuse a baby that was simply performing like a baby.” He additionally mentioned he could be “put into the room by bodily drive” if he resisted … and claimed his father as soon as “smacked” him within the face and would “spank” him with a jumprope or belt, whereas yelling.

Throughout cross-examination by Tim Ferriter’s protection workforce, he was requested whether or not it was arduous for him to think about any “good recollections” he had together with his dad and mom.

“I can simply recall the great occasions. I haven’t got a nasty picture of Tim and Tracy, they simply made a mistake,” he testified. “They have been simply performing out of frantic shock of my actions. I imagine they weren’t attempting to do any hurt. I imagine folks ought to acknowledge that was a mistake, forgive them and transfer on.”

When requested about his “actions,” the boy admitted to doing a little “not so authorized stuff” at college, mentioned he would throw and kick issues when indignant and deliberately broke the “guidelines” of the house at the very least 5 occasions per week. “Normally extra,” he mentioned beneath oath.

In accordance with WPBF, footage from a Ring digicam positioned contained in the construction confirmed Tim cursing on the boy and throwing issues across the room. He additionally reportedly threatened to maintain the boy within the field far more sooner or later if he continued to behave out in class.

Throughout opening statements, the protection reportedly mentioned the Ferriters’ conduct was merely a case of “unhealthy parenting,” however did not rise to the extent of felony. Tim Ferriter’s lawyer mentioned the room was used for “monitoring” the kid.

“Unhealthy parenting doesn’t imply that an individual must be charged with a criminal offense,” mentioned protection legal professional Prya Murad. “It makes them human. It makes them a dad or mum who’s attempting to determine when confronted with a baby who has constant and escalating behavioral points, how one can deal with them.”

The 2 dad and mom are being tried individually, with Tim’s trial taking place first; Tracy has been current in courtroom, sitting behind him throughout his trial. The daddy beforehand rejected a plea deal.

The trial is ongoing.