DELTONA, Fla., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- A Florida couple was arrested for felony child neglect after allegedly depriving a 6-year-old boy of food and forcing him to sleep outside, police said.
Volusia County, Fla., deputies arrested John Haley, 47, and his wife Stephanie, 41, of Deltona, Fla., after the cold and hungry boy arrived at a neighbor's door early Sunday, saying he had been sleeping on the back porch of his home for the previous three nights and only allowed inside to use the bathroom, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Monday.
The boy told deputies he had been fed only rice or lettuce for lunch and dinner.
Haley admitted the boy was being punished for stealing and overeating, the newspaper said.
The couple was taken to Volusia County Jail in Daytona Beach, and authorities said they had taken custody of six other children, who range in age from 1-15 years old, who were living at the home.
