Two Pennsylvania women are facing more than 950 criminal charges each after authorities say they subjected their adopted teenage son to prolonged physical and psychological abuse, including duct-taping him to the floor, depriving him of food, and forcing him to stand for extended periods.
Amy L. Billotte, 51, and Sarah Lynn Faber, 37, were arrested Tuesday in Jefferson County. Prosecutors say each woman faces more than 460 counts of unlawful restraint of a minor and more than 460 counts of false imprisonment, along with additional charges including child endangerment, simple assault, and terroristic threats.
The investigation began in early September when school officials in Brookville contacted police after the 16-year-old boy arrived at school appearing malnourished. According to officers, the teen had lost roughly 20 pounds since May, when staff had last seen him. He typically attended virtual classes, making the weight loss more difficult to detect.
In interviews with police, the teen described a pattern of escalating abuse inside the home. According to a criminal complaint obtained by local NBC affiliate WJAC and CBS affiliate WTAJ, he reported being confined to his bedroom for long periods with no toys, electronics, or books, while cameras monitored his movements. He told investigators the women became upset if he moved too often.
The teen also said he was subjected to repeated punishments, including being forced to shower in cold water, being made to live in the basement for a week wearing only underwear, and being duct-taped to the basement floor. He further reported that his arm and genitals were cut with a blade, causing significant bleeding.
According to the complaint, the women also threatened to “squirt cat insulin into his eyes.”
Child protective services removed the boy from the home immediately. Hospital staff reported that he regained the lost weight within weeks, consistent with significant food denial. The teen told investigators that conditions in the home worsened over time, beginning when Billotte and Faber restricted sugar-based foods and later began withholding food entirely.
The teen, who was placed in the home several years ago, said the early months of his placement were positive. “I thought it was going to be fun,” he told police. “There were toys and books, and they would read me bedtime stories every night.”
Billotte and Faber are being held at the Jefferson County Prison on $500,000 bond each. Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for December 19.
Authorities say the teen is now safe and receiving care.
