Trial for dad, stepmom of boy found in basement

DETROIT (AP) — A trial is scheduled for Sept. 8 to decide whether the father and stepmother of a 12-year-old Detroit boy found in his basement after an 11-day disappearance will lose custody of their children.

A pretrial hearing was held Monday in Wayne County juvenile court for Charlie Bothuell IV and Monique Dillard-Bothuell.

Michigan is seeking to terminate the couple’s rights to two other children and the father’s rights to Charlie Bothuell V.

The 12-year-old is living with his mother, Africa Shippings. She tells WXYZ-TV he’s doing well.

Children ages 4 years and 11 months are living with relatives.

Police found Charlie Bothuell V in the basement of his father’s condo on June 25.

Authorities say he was abused and forced to complete intense physical workouts. There are no criminal charges.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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