Dad Whose Child Was Found In Basement Accused Of Abuse

Dad Whose Child Was Found In Basement Accused Of Abuse
This photo provided by the Detroit Police Department shows Charlie Bothuell V, 12, of Detroit, who has been missing since June 14. Bothuell has been found alive in his father's basement. Detroit police spokesman Sgt. Mike Woody says officers were serving a search warrant at the home near downtown, on Wednesday, June 25, 2014, when they stumbled upon Bothuell. (AP Photo/Courtesy Detroit Police Department)
This photo provided by the Detroit Police Department shows Charlie Bothuell V, 12, of Detroit, who has been missing since June 14. Bothuell has been found alive in his father's basement. Detroit police spokesman Sgt. Mike Woody says officers were serving a search warrant at the home near downtown, on Wednesday, June 25, 2014, when they stumbled upon Bothuell. (AP Photo/Courtesy Detroit Police Department)

DETROIT (AP) — Michigan's child-welfare agency has filed detailed allegations of abuse against a Detroit man whose 12-year-old son was reported missing for days before he was found in the basement.

The state wants to terminate the parental rights of Charlie Bothuell IV. The agency also seeks to end the parental rights of Monique Dillard-Bothuell, the boy's stepmother and mother of two other children.

The state says Charlie Bothuell V was struck with a plastic pipe by his father and forced to do workouts.

The state says Charlie's stepmother ordered him to the basement on June 14. Charlie told caseworkers that he would sneak upstairs for food. Police found him after an 11-day search.

Bothuell's attorney declined comment. The stepmother's lawyer says there may have been legal "corporal punishment."

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