Police: Pa. couple locked boy, 7, in coffin

[October 04, 2011]  SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) -- Police are searching for a couple after a 7-year-old diaper-clad boy was found crying in the basement of a filthy northeastern Pennsylvania home, where he claimed he was forced to sleep in a coffin.

The Times-Tribune of Scranton reports investigators filed endangerment and unlawful restraint charges on Friday against 31-year-old Brian Sleboda and 26-year-old Lori Gardner. Scranton police Chief Dan Duffy says police are searching for them.

Court documents say the boy told officers he was sometimes bound with duct tape and told ghosts inhabited the basement.

The Times-Tribune report (http://bit.ly/qismQU) says neighbors heard the boy crying last week and called police. When officers arrived, the boy asked, "Are you here to help me?"

The boy's relationship to the couple was unclear.

Officials say the bug-infested home has been condemned.

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Information from: The Times-Tribune, http://thetimes-tribune.com/

[Associated Press]

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