Couple accused of chaining up adopted son indicted on child abuse charges

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - A grand jury indicted a Memphis couple accused of chaining up their adopted 8-year-old son in July 2014.

Melvin and Kenya Bloomingburg, both accused of child abuse, are both free on bond.

The two were arrested in July after their son called 911, telling them he was chained by his ankle to a wall inside the couple's Fox Meadows home. The 8-year-old was later diagnosed with ulcers and malnutrition.

According to the affidavit of complaint, the boy told investigators that his parents regularly denied him food. He said they once chained him up in the backyard shed for days and when he was chained inside, he had to sleep on a dresser.

With the Bloomingburgs out on bond, WMC Action News 5's Kontji Anthony went by their home but there was no answer.

A man sitting in a black SUV down the street spoke with Kontji, but insisted that he was not Melvin Bloomingburg. An archive search showed the same black SUV with the same distinctive stickers parked in the Bloomingburg's driveway back in July.

According to Department of Children's Services, all six of the couple's children are now in state custody.

Some neighbors say they had no idea any children lived in the house — wondering whether they were all holed up in some form or fashion.

The couple is due in court to enter a plea.