A couple in Las Cruces, New Mexico was arrested Friday after police discovered an eight-year old girl locked inside a wooden cage.
According to The Las Cruces Sun-News, officials were checking on the welfare of this developmentally disabled child when they came upon the horrific scene, as the woman and her boyfriend were reportedly at a movie when they left her alone in a cage the size of a crib.
Cindy Patriarchias (who is charged with negligently causing child abuse) and Edmond Gonzales (who is charged with negligently permitting child abuse) remain in custody.
A police spokesperson says the couple was actually in the process of trying to adopt the girl when they were arrested.
Fortunately, she did not appear to suffer any injuries as a result of this lock-up.