DETROIT – There are key questions but no answers from Charlie Bothuell IV tonight after new, eye-opening details were revealed Friday during a custody hearing inside juvenile court.
After Bothuell IV's 12-year-old son, Charlie Bothuell, was found in the basement area of his father's Detroit townhome Wednesday afternoon, he underwent an exam at Children's Hospital. Child Protective Services (CPS) says doctors found the boy had suffered physical and verbal abuse. Bruising and marks were visible on his body.
Investigators say the abuse Charlie suffered was at the hands of his father and stepmother Monique Dillard-Bothuell. The alleged abuse of Charlie was enough for CPS to remove the couple's two young children -- a 4-month-old boy and a 10-month-old girl -- from the home on Thursday. The children have been placed with relatives while a criminal investigation into what happened to young Charlie continues. Charlie is with his biological mother.
View: Timeline of Charlie Bothuell disappearance
A Child Protective Services investigator filed a petition to the court, revealing that their investigators say that the boy was kept in the basement against his will by his stepmother.
Court document: Stepmother hid Charlie Bothuell in basement
"I read this petition. It says that Monique took (Charlie) into the basement and hid him and told him not to come out," said Mark Magison, the attorney for Charlie Bothuell's father. "Why would she do that? I don't understand that. It makes no sense. This is the same woman who then got the police involved and brought all of this on. None of this make sense."
Local 4 has learned police are preparing to ask for criminal charges against Brothuell IV and his wife, Dillard-Brothuell. Charlie Brothuell IV is expected to face charges of child abuse. Dillard-Brothuell is expected to face charges of making a false report -- for telling police that young Charlie was missing.