JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- A mother was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday for keeping her 17-year-old adopted son caged in her home.


Brenda Sullivan, accused of caging her 17-year-old son, pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated child abuse.

Brenda Sullivan pleaded guilty in January to three counts of aggravated child abuse. Prosecutors agreed to drop lesser child neglect charges.

The teen weighed 49 pounds when child welfare workers found him in 2005 in what appeared to be a cage. Sullivan told a judge at the time that Ohio authorities told her to keep the boy, who had severe medical and emotional problems, in a crib.

"There's only one conclusion when you look at the medical evidence in this case, and that is that she literally starved him," prosecutor Julie Schlax said.

Two other children, 13-year-old twins the Sullivans adopted as infants, both testified they were kept in similar cages.

Sullivan's husband was also arrested, but died in January 2007 while awaiting trial.

Sullivan's lawyer, Charles Fletcher, said he didn't think prison was the right option because she does not pose a threat to society. He said they would appeal the sentence

I read that earlier, and I have no clue what goes through people mind, Well, at least now, she can spend 20 years in a cage.

some kids are really bad,,,,,,,,,but look who made them,,,,,,it;s not th kids fault,,,,,,some parents should not be aloud to have kids,,,,,,,cause they don't want to take care of them or teach them,,,this is sad

wow and i thought i had it rough growing up. i ws adopted too and i was in 15 foster homes before i was 7 years old. i guess there is someone else in this world who always has it worse off than you doo. and i dont think 20 years was long enough if you ask me.