BROOKVILLE, Pa. — Two women face over 950 criminal charges after authorities uncovered a pattern of alleged abuse against their adopted teenage son, leading to severe malnourishment and psychological harm over several months.
Amy L. Billotte, 51, and Sarah Lynn Faber, 37, were arrested following an investigation triggered by the boy’s alarming condition when he appeared at school in September. Concerned staff members noted the 16-year-old’s frail appearance and significant weight loss, prompting them to notify law enforcement.
Investigators have detailed numerous charges against the women, including unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child. Reports indicate the teenager lost approximately 20 pounds during his time in their care, raising serious concerns about the alleged treatment he endured.
According to law enforcement, the boy described being confined to a bedroom stripped of personal belongings like books and toys. Surveillance cameras monitored his movements, with heightened surveillance generating severe reactions from the women when he moved around too much.
Harsh punishments were allegedly meted out to him, including being stripped of his clothing and subjected to cold showers. Disturbing accounts also note he was forced to live in the basement for extended periods wearing only his underwear and, at times, was duct-taped to the basement floor.
Further revelations paint a grim picture of life in the household. The boy recounted horrific incidents where he suffered cuts to his arms and genitals from a sharp blade and reported that the women made threats involving cat insulin.
As the investigation unfolded, child protective services stepped in, removing the teenager from the Brookville home. Medical personnel subsequently treated him at a hospital, helping him regain weight that had dropped to a critically low 79 pounds.
Initially, the boy shared fond memories of his life with Billotte and Faber, recalling bedtime stories and playtime. However, those recollections shifted dramatically when he described a series of escalating dietary restrictions, starting with sugar removal and culminating in neglect of basic nutritional needs. His accounts include times he was forced to sleep without a mattress on the floor and instances where he was restrained with duct tape.
Both women remain in custody at Jefferson County Prison, each held on a $500,000 bond. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for December 19, as investigators continue to piece together evidence in what they have categorized as a deeply troubling case of child abuse.
The teenager remains in protective custody, and officials report he is in stable condition as they work to ensure his safety and well-being in the aftermath of these disturbing events.