An 11-day search for a missing Michigan boy came to a bizarre conclusion Wednesday when he was discovered alive and well, hidden in the basement of his fathers home in Detroit.
Charles Bothuell IV shocked by his son's reappearance. AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Eric Lawrence Source: AP
THE bizarre case of Charlie Bothuell V, found hiding in his parent's basement this week, has become even stranger as disturbing details of his home life are revealed.
The world was mesmerised this week by the reaction of Charlie's father when he was told on live television that his son had been found alive — hiding in the basement after being missing for almost two weeks.
Since then mystery has deepened over why Charlie went missing and whether someone had been helping him to hide.
Why did he hide? Charlie Bothuell V, 12, of Detroit, was missing for almost two weeks. AP Photo/Courtesy Detroit Police Department Source: AP
When Detroit police found the boy in the basement of his family's multiple-unit condo building, he was surrounded by chicken, softdrinks, cereal and gatorade. He was also barricaded behind a dresser and a 55-gallon drum.
"There's no way he could have erected this makeshift area of concealment, I'll call it. He certainly was excited to see us," Detroit Police Chief James Craig said.
Officers had searched the home at least three times before they found him on Wednesday afternoon. They do not believe he was there the whole time.
The basement was connected to other apartments via a tunnel that also provided access to the outside world.
In a petition filed by Child Protective Services for the removal of Charlie's half-siblings, the boy told investigators that his stepmother Monique Dillard-Bothuell put him in the basement and told him not to come out.
When the boy got hungry he would sneak upstairs to get food when no one was home.
Accusations of abuse have also emerged.
"He was very skinny, and almost looked like a cancer patient. He had marks all over his arms and chest," one of Charlie Bothuell's grandmothers told investigators.
A half circular scar was discovered on his chest, and the boy told investigators his dad drove a PVC pipe into his chest, according to the court records.
Old scars were reportedly found on Charlie's buttocks and were also believed to be caused by the pipe.
Other documents provided at a Friday afternoon custody hearing over Charlie, contained accusations that Charlie had bruises and marks after allegedly being abused by his father and stepmother Monique Dillard-Bothuell.
Denies abusing his son: Charlie Bothuell IV. AP Photo/Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr. Source: AP
"I read this petition. It says that Monique took (Charlie) into the basement and hid him and told him not to come out," Mark Magidson, the attorney for Charlie Bothuell's father and stepmother said. "Why would she do that? I don't understand that. It makes no sense. This is the same woman who then got the police involved and brought all of this on. None of this make sense."
There were reports that Charlie was often beaten with a PVC pipe that was reportedly found covered in blood at the home.
He was also home schooled and his father Charles Bothuell IV was strict about his workouts, forcing him to walk 4,000 steps daily on an elliptical machine. The average person does about 3,500 to 5,000 steps a day.
His stepmother told police the boy didn't complete his daily exercise routine and she had reported this to his father. Worried about his reaction, Charlie took off.
Monique Dillard-Bothuell was charged for a parole violation. AP Photo/Michigan State Police Source: AP
The boy's father, who made tearful television pleas for help while his son was missing, has said he had no idea the boy was in the basement. Charles Bothuell IV reported his son missing on June 14. The boy had been working out at home about 9pm, went to use the rest room and never returned, Bothuell told police.
There were also reports that Charlie may have been worried about being sent to military school later this year.
He has not been released into his father's care, instead he is staying with his mother and police have barred Bothuell from having any contact with his son.
Meanwhile Charlie's stepmother has since been arrested on a parole violation unrelated to the boy's disappearance. She was previously convicted of buying a gun without a permit.
Dillard-Bothuell has been ordered to wear a tether and a judge set personal bond at $5,000. She's due back in court July 11.
Her four-year-old son and 10-month old daughter have been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.
Despite accusations that she had instructed the boy to go to the basement, both parents deny they had anything to do with Charlie's disappearance.
"My client, Mr Bothuell and his wife, had no participation in this. They would have not brought this entire media circus, ... FBI, all of this — for what purpose? For what gain?" Mr Magidson said.
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