Shelby County couple who tortured, abused and starved adopted son, plead guilty to child abuse

From Trussville Tribune staff reports

COLUMBIANA — A Shelby County couple who was arrested in November 2016 and charged with the forced isolation and starvation of their adopted 14-year-old son plead guilty on Tuesday to a reduced charge of child abuse.

Former foster parents Richard and Cynthia Kelly were originally charged with aggravated child abuse, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. They instead plead guilty to a reduced charge of child abuse, which carries a 10-year sentence.

The couple is accused of denying food, failure to provide nourishment and medical care, along with locking their adopted son of two years in a concrete basement for nearly 23 hours a day. Police said the isolation was disciplinary in nature. Doctors said the teenager was severely and chronically malnourished. He suffered from dehydration, acute respiratory distress, shock, hypothermia, hypothyroid and was close to death. He weighed just 47 pounds when he entered the medical facility.

An investigation began when Helena police were notified by hospital staff through DHR of the teenager’s arrival at the hospital. His parents took him to the hospital when his condition worsened.

Two others were living in the house at the time, but police said they will not be charged. The two other adults were 19 and 21, and one is the adopted daughter of Richard and Cynthia.

The then-14-year-old was released from a hospital and went into the care of a therapeutic foster home.

Richard and Cynthia are slated to be sentenced on Feb. 24. They remain free on bond.