Copake, New York: New York State Police announced the arrest of 38-year-old Duane McCaul and 39-year-old Nellie McCaul on Saturday, June 12 on charges of child abuse.
The release did not indicate the relationship between the couple and the child, nor the gender of the child, but did state that the charges are related to their treatment of an 8-year-old.
The couple has been charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of a child, and second-degree unlawful imprisonment. They have entered a plea of not guilty to the charges and were released on their own recognizance.
"Bail was not an option in this case as all of the charges are deemed non-qualifying offenses under the bail reform laws enacted in 2020," Hudson Valley 360 quoted Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka as explaining.
According to the prosecution the couple is accused of handcuffing the child to a bedframe on several occasions in order to keep the child from leaving the room and eating on their own.
Additionally, they are alleged to have forced the child to wear spoiled underwear on their head, lie submerged in a kiddie pool with only their face above water for 30 minutes and then once allowed to exit the pool, to do a number of pushups and jumping jacks.
The events are said to have transpired between June 5 and June 8.
NYSP asks that anyone with further information about the case contact them at (845) 677-7300.