Charles Bothuell V

The disappearance of Charlie Bothuell V was the case of an American child in Detroit, Michigan who disappeared and was found imprisoned in the basement of his family home in 2014. His father, Charles Bothuell IV, and step-mother, Monique Dillard-Bothuell, were charged with torture and child abuse. In 2016, Bothuell IV pleaded guilty to fourth-degree child abuse after accepting a plea deal.

History In early 2014, Bothuell IV and Dillard-Bothuell reported their son Bothuell V, then 12 years old, missing. Eleven days after the missing person report was filed, Bothuell V was found alive in the family's basement behind a 55-gallon drum, surrounded by boxes. Bothuell IV learned of the discovery of his son on live television while being interviewed by Nancy Grace, which became a viral video on YouTube.

In April 2015, the couple were arrested and charged with torture and second-degree child abuse. The torture charge, which, if proven, could have resulted in life sentences, was later dismissed by the court.

Trial and aftermath On January 19, 2016, the case was resolved when Bothuell IV pleaded guilty to fourth-degree child abuse in exchange for removal of the second-degree child-abuse charges.

Prosecutors revealed that Bothuell V was very thin and had marks on his body from the abuse when he was found after being reported missing. Bothuell V testified that he was kept home from school and forced to engage in rigorous exercise routines daily by his parents, in addition to being beaten.