4-Year-Old Allegedly Murdered By Father Was Kept Naked, Duct-Taped In Basement As Punishment

A 4-year-old Indiana boy was murdered by his father after he was kept naked and duct-taped in a locked basement of his apartment, police said.

The boy, Judah Morgan, was reportedly abused as punishment for not being toilet trained and died from blunt force injuries Monday morning. The victim's father, Alan Morgan, was charged on counts of murder and child neglect while his mother, Mary Yoder, was charged with child neglect causing death Wednesday, South Bend Tribune reported.

LaPorte County officers responded to the reports of an unconscious child Monday. Officers entered the home and found that there were no adults inside. In one of the bedrooms, the deputies saw Judah's lifeless body under a blanket. The child was naked and covered in bruises. He had no pulse and was cold to the touch, according to the probable cause affidavit. There were three other children in the house at that time and they were taken to a hospital.

Court records show that Yoder called 911 to report that Alan had lost his temper and beat up Judah. She also informed them that Alan might flee because he was scared.

When police talked to Yoder, she said Alan often sent Judah naked to the basement where he was physically abused for not being potty trained like the other children. Judah was also denied food while he was kept in the dark basement for several days. Yoder admitted to sending the child to the basement herself on one occasion, ABC 57 reported.

Yoder said the last time she saw Judah was in the basement on Oct. 9 before she went to the hospital to give birth. The couple's 7-year-old child told investigators that he saw Alan hit Judah and both his parents forcibly take Judah to the basement. He also said that on the day before the victim died, the family had a birthday party for a third sibling. Judah was locked in the basement during the celebration.

During the search, officers found a malnourished dog in a cage. Investigators reported that the house reeked of urine, feces and rotten food. Upon searching the basement, officers saw a training toilet and rolls of duct tape all over the place. They also found a blanket and a pair of sweatpants that smelled of urine with duct tape attached, according to the probable cause affidavit.