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Indiana State Police Say Teen Was Locked In Cage Labeled With Her Name

Last updated on Friday, October 13, 2017

(HUNTINGBURG) - A Huntingburg dentist and his wife were arrested after police discover the couple’s child was held in a wooden cage containing a mattress and pan for the child to use to go to the restroom when she was kept there overnight.

Police found the cage, labeled with the child's name during a search of the home at 5275 West County Road 700 South.

Police arrested 57-year-old Alan Friz, a dentist in Huntingburg and his wife, 36-year-old Aimee Friz.

They were released on bond after their arrests on multiple felony charges. Alan's was set at a $25,000 cash bond and Aimee's at $10,000.

Alan Friz faces four counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, 11 counts of neglect of a dependent and 11 counts of criminal confinement. Aimee Friz faces 11 counts of neglect of a dependent and 11 counts of criminal confinement. All of their counts are felonies. The couple pleaded not guilty in court Monday.

The Dubois County Sheriff's Office said Alan and Aimee Friz have been ordered to have no contact with the victim.

Their next court hearing is set for Nov. 9.

Alan Friz is also facing four counts of sexual misconduct involving his teenage daughter.

This case has received international coverage. The Daily Mail in the United Kingdom also reported about the case.

According to the probably cause affidavit, Aimee Friz referenced the child was mentally disabled, basing on an online search the couple made. The affidavit also states the couple said they were "trying to find a placement for the child."

Police were contacted about a child described as "mentally retarded" that was out of control at the Friz home. When officers arrived, they made contact with the couple and were directed to the garage where the teenage girl in question was located.

During a discussion with the girl, she told police that her grandfather had become angry with her while she was bouncing a ball in the house. He took the ball and wouldn't give it back because the other children in the home were completing their studies at the time and the girl was being disruptive. The two were involved in a scuffle and both ended up on the floor. After that, police were called to the home.

While deputies interviewed Aimee Friz, she told them the girl had made threats about killing her and her unborn child. When officers offered to take the girl to the hospital for evaluation, Aimee Friz told them they were attempting to find the girl help on their own.

Deputies contacted Division of Family and Children regarding the incident and a forensic interview with the girl was conducted the same day. During the interview, the girl told investigators she was forced to sleep in a cage at night and other times. She described the cage and told investigators where they would find in.

After being granted a search warrant , deputies contacted the Indiana State Police to assist with the search of the home. During the search, officers located a wooden cage in a closet of a bedroom in the home. It was described as being about 4-by-8 in size and had a mattress in it. It was labeled with a teen girl's name above the entrance. It did not have running water or electricity running to it and a pan was left for the girl to use as a bathroom while she was in it. During those times, the cage was locked with a padlock and chain.

After locating the cage, deputies arrested Alan Friz in custody and asked about the cage. According to court documents, Friz admitted the teen was kept in the cage overnight but it was to protect his wife and other children since the girl had allegedly made threats to harm them.

When the division of family and child services arrived to remove the children, they found that Amiee Friz had left the home with the children while police were gathering information. Dubois County Dispatch was directed to ping her cell phone to attempt to locate her. An officer contacted her and directed her to return home with the children but she hung up on the officer.

She was finally located in St. Louis and ordered to bring the children back to Indiana.

On Thursday, before Alan Friz was scheduled to make an appearance in court, a deputy recognized Amiee Friz outside the courthouse and she was arrested.

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