Girl Found Locked in Cage: New Mexico Couple Crams Disabled Daughter into Wooden Box to 'Go See a Movie,' Arrested for Child Abuse

Reports confirm that Cindy Patriarchies and her live-in boyfriend Edmond Gonzales were arrested in New Mexico on Friday (Jan.25) after allegedly locking Patriarchias' eight-year-old developmentally disabled daughter in a small wooden cage as the rest of the family went off to see a movie at the local Columbia Elementary School. Patriarchias' estranged husband promptly altered police that he was worried about the welfare of his young child when the couple arrived at the family movie-night with only three of the mother's four children. When officers arrived and searched the family's mobile home, they found the disabled girl crammed in a box approximately the size of a baby crib. The child was discovered unharmed and her guardians now face child abuse charges.

According to the Las Cruces Sun, 33-year-old Patriarchias was charged with one count of negligent child abuse while 37-year-old Gonzalez was charged with permitting child abuse. Apparently the couple arrived to the Columbia Elementary School movie night on Friday with only three of their four children. After Patriarchias' ex informed police that he was worried his eight-year-old daughter had been left at home alone, officers arrived at the family's trailer home (of the 100 block of Mohawk) at approximately 7:30 p.m. They had to wait about an hour until Patriarchias finally returned to let them in.

While checking the home, one officer allegedly discovered a large wooden cage in the corner of a bedroom. Officers then found Patriarchias' daughter - who suffers from microcephaly, a neurological condition that is often associated with a smaller had than normal and developmental issues - locked inside the small box. Fox News reports that the wooden cage was only about 30 inches wide, 60 inches long, and 50 inches tall. The Las Cruces Police Department claim the young child did not suffer any physical injuries

Patriarchias and Gonzalez were arrested and allegedly appeared in court on Monday, although neither have yet to enter pleas. $25,000 cash-only bonds were set for each. Detectives are currently continuing their investigation.