Father Locks Son Inside Wooden Box for 8 Weeks in Bolivian Home

June 17: Johan Knelson was found locked inside a wooden box by his father at their home in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. (Reuters)

Bolivian police found a 21-year-old son locked in a wooden box by his father for eight weeks Thursday, Reuters reports.

Johan Knelson was forced to live in the 9 feet by 6 feet box in the basement for allegedly stealing livestock, according to his father, David Knelson. He also claimed his son was mentally ill.

"I went out, and when I came back they were angry with me here at home. Some people tied me up and put me in here, eight weeks ago," the 21-year-old told Reuters.

Knelson had to eat, sleep and use the bathroom inside the box, according to Reuters.

"I ate and slept here. I did everything here. I ate and drank water and washed here," he told Reuters.

Santa Cruz police had to convince the Mennonite father to release his son from the box.

Bolivian prosecutors say the father locking up his son was against the law.

"It is not permitted that a boy is physically and psychologically tortured inside a jail. It is in total violation of Bolivian law," attorney Ever Merida told the Daily Telegraph.

The Mennonite family follows a strict interpretation of the Bible and shuns the use of technology.