Parents accused of locking their 12-year-old girl in a closet
A Brownsville couple is behind bars after they allegedly locked their 12-year-old daughter in a closet only letting her leave to eat and go to school.
Brownsville police arrested Alfredo and Leticia Ines on injury to a child and unlawful restraint charges over the weekend.
Investigators told Action 4 News that the couple locked the girl up in a closet at their Joanne Lane home.
Detectives said the girl was found malnourished and underdeveloped – looking more like she’s 8 years old.
Police said the girl had three brothers ranging from 17 to 11 years of age. Detectives said none of the boys are believed to have been neglected or abused.
Investigators told Action 4 News that one of her brothers told a teacher about his sister.
That teacher told Child Protective Service prompting an investigation.
Police said the girl was put in foster care while two of the boys were put in the care of family members.
Both Alfredo and Leticia Ines remain in custody at the Cameron County Jail under $275,000 dollars in bonds.
Action 4 News learned that Alfredo Ines is a maintenance employee with the Brownsville Independent School District, which release the following statement:
“Alfredo Ines, a BISD Maintenance Department employee, has been placed on administrative leave with pay effective today, February 1, 2010 . A warrant for Mr. Ines’s arrest was executed by the Brownsville Police Department on Friday, January 29, 2010 based on a complaint made by Child Protective Services. The school district is cooperating with all investigating agencies. Ines has been employed by the district as a painter’s helper since 2006.”
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