Father Locks Son Inside Wooden Box for 8 Weeks in Bolivian Home
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.