GASTONIA (AP) — A Gastonia couple has been charged with locking a teen in a bedroom without food and water.
Police say the 14-year-old was left in the room for days without food and water or access to a bathroom.
Joy Evonne Skipper, 45, and Rufus Dickson Sr., 41, are charged with child abuse inflicting serious injury. They also are charged with contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
Authorities say the victim was dehydrated and he tried to escape to beg for food from neighbors.