Nebraska man accused of locking children up pleads guilty

WAKEFIELD, Neb. (AP) – A Wakefield, Nebraska, man who’s accused of locking his children in a bedroom and denying them food has pleaded guilty to child abuse.

55-year-old Patrick Henderson pleaded guilty to two counts of child abuse — one a felony, the other a misdemeanor.

In exchange, prosecutors will recommend Henderson be placed on probation, when he’s sentenced in November.

His wife, 43-year-old Angel Henderson, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of felony child abuse and awaits trial.

Prosecutors say the Hendersons fed their 14-year-old son and his 9-year-old sister only once a day and not at all if they failed to finish their school work.

The boy also told authorities his mother choked, kick and hit them.