Who is Timothy Ferriter? Florida man accused of locking his adopted son in a garage 'box' for 5 years faces trial
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: In a shocking case of child abuse, the trial set for Timothy Ferriter, a man accused of locking his adopted young son in a box in his garage for at least five years has been scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 3.
Ferriter claimed that his adopted son suffered from Reactive Attachment Disorder which made him and his wife monitor his aggressive behavior through the camera placed inside the garage, reports Law and Crime.
According to the National Library of Medicine, Reactive Attachment Disorder is a trauma and stress-related condition of early childhood that is a result of maltreatment and social neglect.
What are the charges against Timothy Ferriter?
In March 2022, Ferriter was indicted along with his wife Terry on charges of aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment.
An investigation into the Ferriter family in Jupiter, Florida began after the boy was reported missing on January 28, 2022.
Tracey then informed the police that the teenager struggled with behavioral disorders and had a history of running away.
However, a contractor, who is referred to as 'Jack' as per court documents, raised concerns regarding the case.
He worked for the family in constructing an eight-foot-by-foot room inside the garage. The room had its own door and a deadbolt lock but there was no internal doorknob.
Jack stated that this unusual structure had a window air conditioning unit and was completely equipped with electricity. He also noted that the room had a ceiling camera placed.
Police discovered shocking evidence at Timothy Ferriter's home
On January 30, 2022, investigators conducted a search at the Ferriter's home, and inside the garage, they found a room containing a camera, folding chair, mattress, and a small box.
However, when the police questioned the teenager's whereabouts, his adoptive mother told them that the "structure" in the garage was constructed by the missing child.
On January 31, 2022, interviews with the child revealed more details relevant to the investigation.
The adopted son told the investigators that he was locked in the room inside the garage for up to 16-18 hours at a time. He was only given a bucket to be used as a makeshift bathroom.
The boy was also given only leftovers for his meals after the rest of the Ferriter family ate.
He told them that he felt unloved at their home and he often ate alone.
The young boy also revealed that his adoptive father once slammed him against a wall by his neck and struck him in the face.
How many years will Timothy Ferriter face in prison?
The trial on Tuesday will go through the evidence gathered over the years.
Timothy rejected a plea deal offered by prosecutors that would have resulted in him facing a 24-month prison term. If convicted in the case, he will face a maximum jail sentence of up to 30 years.