A 12-year-old boy is accusing a Florida teacher of holding him hostage in her home and reportedly physically abusing him, going days without feeding him, making him urinate in a bucket in his room, and also forcing him to clean the house naked.
The teacher, 54-year-old Denise Elaine Hallowell, has been charged with aggravated child abuse.
Hallowell had two children living in her room, her relation to both has not been made public. However, both boys reportedly lived completely different lives. The accuser, lived in a room with only an air mattress, a few personal belongings, and windows that were nailed shut. While the other child, had a fully furnished room with bed, computer, various electronics, and personal items.
After the 12-year-old ran away from the home a second time, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office decided to investigate the boy’s claims, visiting the home and talking to the other child, as well as Hallowell.
The accuser claimed that he went days without food, was often locked in his room with only a bucket to use the restroom in, and the other child was made to punch and kick him in the groin.
Hallowell denied all claims, stating that the boy had no possessions in his room because he would break things and the windows were nailed shut to prevent him from running away. She had no response for the bucket that was present in the boy’s room, but she did deny making the other child hit the boy and also forcing the boy to clean naked.
The other child did not confirm hitting the boy, but did say that he was forced to hold the boy when he was being punished.
At this time, both boys have been removed from the home and Hallowell remains in jail without bond.
