NORWAY, Wis. -- Two caretakers are facing child abuse charges after allegedly holding a 9-year-old girl in a dog kennel at her home in Norway, Wisconsin.
Dale Deavers, 48, and Gail LaLonde, 47, were taken into custody for causing mental harm to a child, false imprisonment and several other felony charges, according to the Racine County Sheriff's Office.
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Investigators said they learned the child was being kept in the kennel - which measured 4 feet 10 inches in height, 4 feet in length and 8 feet in length - at night and occasionally throughout the day. They said the dog kennel was padlocked to prevent the child from escaping.
"I was sickened at what I witnessed last night. This by far, is one of the most disturbing and heart-wrenching cases of child abuse I've seen, it doesn't get much worse than this," Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said.
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The victim and a sibling have been placed into protective custody.
Investigators said they learned a child was being kept in this kennel, which measures 4 feet 10 inches in height, 4 feet in length and 8 feet in length. (Racine County Sheriff's Office)
Dale Deavers, 48. (Racine County Sheriff's Office)
Gail Lalonde, 47. (Racine County Sheriff's Office)