NY Couple Arrested For Severely Abusing 8-Year-Old Child, Handcuffing Him

A New York couple has been arrested on charges of abusing an eight-year-old child, which included handcuffing them to a futon and denying them food and water.

Nellie McCaul, 40, and Duane McCaul, 38, from Copake were arrested by State Police Saturday, reported Times-Union.

The details, including the child's gender and the relationship with the couple, are being withheld. However, in a separate release, the State Police said the child is of elementary school age.

Disturbing details of abuse emerged post their arrest, with the district attorney's office alleging that the couple forced the child to wear soiled underwear on their head.

The duo allegedly handcuffed the child so that they could not leave the room or eat on their own. The child was also forced to lay in a kiddie pool filled with water for 30 minutes, with only their face above water. Once the child was out of the water, they were asked to perform push-ups and jumping jacks.

The couple will face charges including first-degree reckless endangerment, a class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree unlawful imprisonment, both misdemeanors, said Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka.

Both Nellie and Duane pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The arraignment was held Sunday before Claverack Judge Hon. Michael Brandon. The accused 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, reported WRGB.

According to the state police, the couple was ordered to appear back at the town of Copake Court at 5:00 p.m. Monday. The officers have also requested anyone with information on the case to contact the state police at (845) 677-7300.

Last week, a 19-year-old woman was arrested in Florida for abusing her five-week-old child and sending the video to the baby's father. Police said the woman got into an argument with her newborn daughter's father, her ex-boyfriend, over text messages and began sending him videos of herself suffocating and repeatedly slapping the baby girl. She also threatened to kill her daughter and claimed at one point that the child had already died.