Police discover foster parents housing 11 children, ages 1-14, in cages fitted with alarms that would go off if children tried to escape

NewsNet5
Sep. 13, 2005

WAKEMAN, Ohio -- Nine children were found locked in cages in their home in Wakeman in Huron County Monday, NewsChannel5 reported.

The sheriff said the kids, ages 1 to 14, were found in the cages with no blankets or pillows. The wooden cages, estimated to be about 3 foot by 3 foot, were built into the walls. Officials are not releasing the photos of the cages.

The children were taken to Fisher-Titus Medical Center. They are listed in good condition.

Officials said all the children were adopted children. Sharon and Mike Gravelle, the parents, have not been arrested. They had 11 children in all.

Officials said the parents thought they were doing what was best for the children.

"Basically, the parents thought they were providing for the protection of the children from themselves and from each other," said Huron County's Lt. Randy Sommers. "They thought it was circumstances that warranted the cages at night."

Officials added that the parents believed that because the children were autistic they should be kept in the cages for protection from each other.

According to officials, the cages had alarms that would go off if the children tried to escape.