Detective: Teen held in bathroom for years

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DALLAS, Ga., Oct. 4 (UPI) -- A Georgia couple accused of locking their teenage son in a bathroom for year admitted they did so to punish him, a police detective testified in court Thursday.

Paul and Sheila Comer were arrested Sept. 12 for allegedly locking their 18-year-old son, Mitch, in a bathroom, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Sgt. Kevin Morgan with the Paulding County Sheriff's Office testified at their bond hearing Thursday that the couple told him they locked the boy up as punishment for bad behavior.

"Both of them conceded that that was his life," Morgan said. "He lived in that room for years."

Mitch Comer was found in Los Angeles in September alone at a bus stop, WSB-TV, Atlanta reported.

Morgan said Paul Comer sent the teen to Los Angeles because he wanted to be an actor. He said Mitch's sisters also appeared malnourished, looking years younger than their ages.

The Comers have pleaded not guilty.

Judge Martin Valbuena denied bond for the couple at the hearing.

The Comers' next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 25.