Clay County women arrested on child abuse, neglect charges, deputies say

UPDATED STORY: Police: Women chained teen to furniture, forced him into small box 

Two Clay County women were arrested on child abuse and child neglect charges after a boy had to undergo emergency surgery due to severe injuries, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

Hospital staff told deputies the child was completely malnourished, dirty and had several scars, gashes and cuts,  "in various stages of healing," all over his body.

Authorities questioned Wanda Cummings, 62, and Waniecia Cummings, 34, about the injuries. The women gave a different account that didn't correlate with what a physician said the injuries may have occurred.

According to the CCSO arrest report, the boy stated he was put in a white box with no room to move and was kept there for extended periods of time. He told authorities he would often wet himself because he was not allowed out of the box.

The report also said the boy was chained by his wrists to the living room couch for days at a time.

"He described the marks on his wrists from being locked up in the laundry room with zip ties," the report stated, causing his hands to turn white and form blisters.

The arrest report stated the abuse began in April as punishment.

The child was removed from the home by Florida Department of Children and Families.

Wanda and Waniecia were arrested Nov.29.

If you or someone you know is being abused or you suspect abuse, you can contact police or the Florida Department of Children and Family Services at 1-800-96-ABUSE or 1-800-962-2873.

Cox Media Group