http://www.khou.com/community/-Boy-found-beaten-malnourished-inside-closet-receives-dozens-of-toy-donations--254275911.html??by KHOU.com staff
khou.com
Posted on April 7, 2014 at 6:43 PM
Updated today at 6:53 PM
HOUSTON – A 5-year-old boy who was found beaten and malnourished inside a closet at a home in Spring has received dozens of toy donations.
A photo posted on Facebook shows the child in a hospital bed, enjoying his new toys. His family said he has also been cleared to eat solid food, and he put in a special request for a McDonald's Happy Meal.
Last week deputies arrested and charged the victim’s biological father Bradley Bleimeyer and stepmother Tammi Bleimeyer. They are accused of keeping the boy malnourished inside the stairway closet of their home.
Investigators said the child was found in a diaper inside the small closet by his 16-year-old brother at 9:30 p.m. on March 27. Then the teen confronted his father. The teen and father got into a fist fight and officers were called to the house located in the 21500 block of Castlemont.
By the time officers arrived, they said the victim’s stepmother and biological father took off with the little boy.
The next day, deputies used cell phone data to track down the couple at a motel located in the 9700 block of W FM 1960 Bypass in Humble. The victim’s appearance caused deputies to immediately summon Emergency Service personnel and he was transported to a hospital in Humble, deputies said.
Assistant Chief Mark Herman said in his 28-year career he has never seen anything like this.
“He was severely under nourished, bone sticking out, bumps, bruises. His skin was coming off on his back. It's a horrific horrific situation,” he said.
Deputies immediately arrested both Bradley Bleimeyer and Tammi Bleimeyer at the motel. Both were charged with felony child endangerment, and booked into the Harris County Jail. The father is in jail with no bond, and the victim's stepmother's bond was set at $2,000. She is currently out of jail on bond.
The boy's biological mother says she wasn't allowed to see her son and she is now seeking custody of the victim.
The boy is currently in the custody of Children’s Protective Services. An emergency hearing, regarding the boy’s placement until the temporary order hearing on April 14, is planned for Tuesday.
video at link
