Police: Couple arrested after child found locked in basement - 19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports

Police: Middletown couple kept child locked in basement

Posted: Updated:
Source: Middletown Police Source: Middletown Police
Joanna Blackstone, Source: Middletown Police Joanna Blackstone, Source: Middletown Police
Shawn Blackstone, Source: Middletown Police Shawn Blackstone, Source: Middletown Police
Source: Middletown Police Source: Middletown Police
Source: Middletown Police Source: Middletown Police
MIDDLETOWN, OH (FOX19) -

A Middletown couple was arrested after authorities say a child had been regularly locked in their unfinished basement.

Police were first called to 1606 Philadelphia Avenue on July 3rd, where a child was reportedly confined to the basement on numerous occasions.

Butler County Children Services was already on scene investigating the welfare of the child when Middletown police were called for assistance.

The parents, Shawn and Joanna Blackstone, were arrested and have been charged with kidnapping and child endangering, according to Police.

Both are scheduled for a preliminary hearing in court on July 16th at 1:30 p.m.

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