GUILTY MI - Charlie Bothuell, 12, Detroit, 16 June 2014

[Sunshine95]

Im gonna have a dissenting opinion here but it is an opinion based on the limited available info... I think the kid ran away and hid out on his own. Probably to hide from his stern, disciplining, regimented, and Caring father, and his stepmother, that just by the fact that its his Stepmother, he needs no other reason to resent and dislike.
This is Detroit folks, life is very different, even for me in the suburbs of it. And(at face value) I wish there were more families trying to instill the kind of discipline and values that this father appears to be. Of course the SM had a gun, again this is Detroit. She should've went about it in a legal way, however if you read our headlines, you would be crazy to be a homeowner in the city without one.
4K steps on an ellipitical is 2 miles...not a big deal at all for a 12 year old to be required to accomplish IMO. It takes a lot of additional parenting work to build a child in Detroit to someone of strength and character, and again, I might eat my words, but so far I have seen nothing that proves this family was doing anything wrong to their son.

Refer the the link posted above, please, I can't link more than one quote at a time. If you read that article, I think your opinion may change, since hitting a child with an object is against the law, and so is disciplining to the point where there are marks, especially blood, and wounds that caused scarring.

 

[JLSChook]

http://www.clickondetroit.com/blob/.../-/Charlie-Bothuell-abuse-allegations-PDF.pdf

Case petition (PDF)

 

[cocomod]

Im gonna have a dissenting opinion here but it is an opinion based on the limited available info... I think the kid ran away and hid out on his own. Probably to hide from his stern, disciplining, regimented, and Caring father, and his stepmother, that just by the fact that its his Stepmother, he needs no other reason to resent and dislike.
This is Detroit folks, life is very different, even for me in the suburbs of it. And(at face value) I wish there were more families trying to instill the kind of discipline and values that this father appears to be. Of course the SM had a gun, again this is Detroit. She should've went about it in a legal way, however if you read our headlines, you would be crazy to be a homeowner in the city without one.
4K steps on an ellipitical is 2 miles...not a big deal at all for a 12 year old to be required to accomplish IMO. It takes a lot of additional parenting work to build a child in Detroit to someone of strength and character, and again, I might eat my words, but so far I have seen nothing that proves this family was doing anything wrong to their son.

Although I agree that many children lack discipline, this was not discipline that is okay. This was beatings. NEVER can you teach a child respect by drawing blood during discipline. IMHO of course.

 

[bearfossils]

I hope you're feeling better!

...

**She obtained a gun when she wasn't supposed to -- did Dad even know she had one? If HE wanted a gun, why didn't HE get it? Why would SHE want a gun?

**She refused the polygraph while Dad complied -- why?

**Is it really "coincidence" that she put Charlie in the basement the very week that the tunnel was to be opened... and that her uncle owned the property three doors down?

I have a chronic illness so I never really feel better, but I do have more of a pep in my step today; thank you for well wishes! :loveyou:

I think you are headed in the right direction with your theory! I think most of us who have been following this have the same kind of ideas about what happened, but we each fill in the many, many holes in this case in different ways. I wish we knew more but for now I am happy the only news right now is that Charlie is laughing again. Glad he is doing well.

Down to business! I neglected to factor the gun into my theories, but I believe if the stepmother acquired the weapon, I would think it would be either under threat by the father to, because he may have believed she would be a less likely suspect if something went awry with whatever nefarious plan they had with Charlie, or because she is subservant to him and his demands because of the abuse, or maybe it was just easier for her to obtain one. If she did it without his knowledge, maybe she obtained it for protection for herself and/or her children because the abuse was escalating, or it was for protection while executing her and/or Charlie's escape plan for leaving the abusive father.

As far as the stepmother declining the polygraph: she may not have known the father agreed to a poly, and just went with her gut reaction and she declined to take one thinking the dad wouldn't want her to (again, this could be because she is abused and just does as told, or because she was working with him, didn't anticipate this, and just assumed she should keep her mouth shut); if she did know he agreed to the polygraph before she made her decision, I think she declined because she knew she would fail. She believed she would fail perhaps for a multitude of reasons (because she was compliant with the father and didn't want to implicate him in whatever way; because she was frightened of the father and didn't want to give away even an inkling that she knew where Charlie was; because she just didn't feel confident in taking one because of guilt; etc). No matter the reason, she knew she wouldn't pass because she had information she was withholding. Of course, it could all be much simpler and we are reading too deep into it – maybe she just got advice not to from someone, or just felt too emotionally unstable to even attempt it. Maybe just the suggestion of a polygraph broke her and she told LE information that got the case rolling one way or another. I would really like a better chance to "feel her out", you know?

And last statement: I would say that I don't believe in "coincidences" like that. Some kind of premeditation went into; whether that was something the father concocted, the stepmother did, or a combination of both. There are just too many "little things" for me to think that these are all just "coincidental".

I am sure it will take LE a little time to totally unravel this mess, sadly.

 

[heartgoesout]

Wonder if dad has stolen anything from his job as a nurse to help cover up the abuse?

Also, I think the step mom is getting way too much slack. She (allegedly) participated on some level the abuse of a child. Period.

 

[SuziQ]

Im gonna have a dissenting opinion here but it is an opinion based on the limited available info... I think the kid ran away and hid out on his own. Probably to hide from his stern, disciplining, regimented, and Caring father, and his stepmother, that just by the fact that its his Stepmother, he needs no other reason to resent and dislike.
This is Detroit folks, life is very different, even for me in the suburbs of it. And(at face value) I wish there were more families trying to instill the kind of discipline and values that this father appears to be. Of course the SM had a gun, again this is Detroit. She should've went about it in a legal way, however if you read our headlines, you would be crazy to be a homeowner in the city without one.
4K steps on an ellipitical is 2 miles...not a big deal at all for a 12 year old to be required to accomplish IMO. It takes a lot of additional parenting work to build a child in Detroit to someone of strength and character, and again, I might eat my words, but so far I have seen nothing that proves this family was doing anything wrong to their son.

A bloody pipe and scars on Charlie's body can't be signs of acceptable parenting, even in Detroit.

 

[Eileen730]

Wonder if dad has stolen anything from his job as a nurse to help cover up the abuse?

Also, I think the step mom is getting way too much slack. She (allegedly) participated on some level the abuse of a child. Period.

Has anyone wondered if they charged the step mom just so they could talk
To her.
Maybe hubby beat her too.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

A bloody pipe and scars on Charlie's body can't be signs of acceptable parenting, even in Detroit.

Every time I recall Mr. Bothuell's earliest statement that "(he) would never hurt his child" because "(he's) a nurse and takes care of people" I get :furious: all over again.

While I understand the concept of "tough love", beating a child into submission and imposing unrelenting high expectations on a child is not appropriate in Detroit or anywhere else. I'm glad that young Charlie was rescued before his dad and/or stepmother killed him with discipline. I lease: that Charlie receives the emotional support that he needs to put this unfortunate situation behind him and move forward with his life - free from fear of undue punishment. :moo:

 

[sophiebelle]

If they found pipes with blood, then why is the dad still walking around smiling? Maybe Charlie's not telling what dad did. Wasn't stepmom released and holding hands with dad? So if she's afraid of him, this was her chance to tell it all and get away. She didn't.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

If they found pipes with blood, then why is the dad still walking around smiling? Maybe Charlie's not telling what dad did. Wasn't stepmom released and holding hands with dad? So if she's afraid of him, this was her chance to tell it all and get away. She didn't.

Appearances are important to Mr. Bothuell. During interviews with various local/national media, Charlie IV was well-dressed, announced that he is a nurse and takes care of people, wants his son to attend a particular school, go to college, have "the future that he deserves", etc. Mr. Bothuell wanted the world to believe that he is an upstanding citizen, a nurse, a good husband and father who wouldn't do anything to hurt his child. We've now learned that Charlie Bothuell IV is NOT the man that he tried to portray.

Mr. and Mrs. Bothuell want to show a united front in the midst of this horrible mess, but who knows what goes on behind closed doors? The children have been removed from the custody of their parents. Young Charlie has told LE about the abuse that he endured at the hands of his father and, possibly, stepmother. That's how we know about the scars on his chest and buttocks. Charlie IV and Monique are in deep doo-doo, so I doubt that everything is lovey-dovey. :moo:

Is anyone else surprised to learn (in the court document linked upthread) that the two younger children are not Mr. Bothuell's? I wonder how long the couple has been together. According to the document, Mr. Bothuell is the legal father of the (two younger) children with paternity established through marriage.

 

[jenstar]

Appearances are important to Mr. Bothuell. During interviews with various local/national media, Charlie IV was well-dressed, announced that he is a nurse and takes care of people, wants his son to attend a particular school, go to college, have "the future that he deserves", etc. Mr. Bothuell wanted the world to believe that he is an upstanding citizen, a nurse, a good husband and father who wouldn't do anything to hurt his child. We've now learned that Charlie Bothuell IV is NOT the man that he tried to portray.

Mr. and Mrs. Bothuell want to show a united front in the midst of this horrible mess, but who knows what goes on behind closed doors? The children have been removed from the custody of their parents, Charlie is telling LE about the abuse that he endured at the hands of his father and, possibly, stepmother. Charlie IV and Monique are in deep doo-doo, so I doubt that everything is lovey-dovey. :moo:

RSBM

Typical sociopath behavior. Outward appearances are everything. Manipulations are an everyday occurrence. I'd probably venture to say that in some way, MB is attracted to this quality. Sociopaths are strong leaders, some have high rankings in the community. (The one I dated is now an assistant CEO). I hope for Charlie's sake, they do a psych evaluation that "Dad" doesn't know how to fake.
I'm really sad to hear about Charlie's scar on his chest. That, to me, is horribly scary. It's hard for me to wrap my brain around. What did they try to do to this child?!? Javelin him in the chest with the pipe?!? It's so sad. I pray that Charlie has a strong will to testify and tell the truth. That he gets all the guidance and help he needs. JMO <3

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

RSBM

Typical sociopath behavior. Outward appearances are everything. Manipulations are an everyday occurrence. I'd probably venture to say that in some way, MB is attracted to this quality. Sociopaths are strong leaders, some have high rankings in the community. (The one I dated is now an assistant CEO). I hope for Charlie's sake, they do a psych evaluation that "Dad" doesn't know how to fake.
I'm really sad to hear about Charlie's scar on his chest. That, to me, is horribly scary. It's hard for me to wrap my brain around. What did they try to do to this child?!? Javelin him in the chest with the pipe?!? It's so sad. I pray that Charlie has a strong will to testify and tell the truth. That he gets all the guidance and help he needs. JMO <3

I was imagining that Dad used the PVC pipe to "prod" young Charlie into mastering his elliptical workout - like whipping a horse to make him walk/run faster. Dad stands in front of Charlie and pushes the pipe into his son's chest to get him to move faster and complete the forced exercise regimen. :furious:

 

[wenwe4]

Based upon the case petition filed by CPS in the court to pick up the other siblings, I am still trying to wrap my brain around how this whole thing went down. So Charlie says his step mom barricaded him in the room behind boxes, totes, and (a 50 gal drum?) and told him not to come out no matter what he hears. She did not bring him food. I am wondering if she checked on him. What was her longterm plan for him? Was this done to help him (ie: Dad might actually kill him this time)?

Charlie snuck out upstairs and got food when others were gone (or sleeping?). How did he toilet? Did anyone help him? Did he even access the alley/hallway?

Dad said Charlie was very athletic and physically fit - so did he actually move the boxes or drum or was he so small and frail that he just crawled around them?

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Based upon the case petition filed by CPS in the court to pick up the other siblings, I am still trying to wrap my brain around how this whole thing went down. So Charlie says his step mom barricaded him in the room behind boxes, totes, and (a 50 gal drum?) and told him not to come out no matter what he hears. She did not bring him food. I am wondering if she checked on him. What was her longterm plan for him? Was this done to help him (ie: Dad might actually kill him this time)?

Charlie snuck out upstairs and got food when others were gone (or sleeping?). How did he toilet? Did anyone help him? Did he even access the alley/hallway?

Dad said Charlie was very athletic and physically fit - so did he actually move the boxes or drum or was he so small and frail that he just crawled around them?

Charlie's grandmother who hadn't seen the boy for at least two weeks said that he looked "very thin" after he had been located. A male relative who hadn't seen Charlie since he went to live with his father said that Charlie appeared to have lost a lot of weight. Maybe Charlie's father thought that the boy was overweight and unfit, so he had his son on a rigorous exercise program and limited his food intake.

When police found Charlie in his father's basement, the boy told authorities that he was hungry, and the subsequent medical exam indicated that Charlie was very thin. For the sake of appearances, Dad might have wanted Charlie to be athletic, but I think the boy is small and perhaps malnourished. :moo:

 

[jenstar]

Another thing that doesn't make sense to me;
Why such a strict regimen? If a kid eats "healthy" like his older sister said..why would he need to run two miles?
I was always told as long as you were following a healthy diet; 30 minutes (or longer) of play-time outside was sufficient. I mean, Why not enroll him in baseball or a basketball league? It would be great for kids who are home-schooled to get that type of socialization, anyway.
Ot/BR: I'm blessed to live in a very good, safe neighborhood with plenty of kids living on our street. I like to push my kids (boys ages 14&5) outside about 4ish and call them at about 6:30ish pm for supper. I don't like them spending too much time in the house. When I was a kid you couldn't drag me inside..I have to drag my kids OUT. lol

 

[cocomod]

Based upon the case petition filed by CPS in the court to pick up the other siblings, I am still trying to wrap my brain around how this whole thing went down. So Charlie says his step mom barricaded him in the room behind boxes, totes, and (a 50 gal drum?) and told him not to come out no matter what he hears. She did not bring him food. I am wondering if she checked on him. What was her longterm plan for him? Was this done to help him (ie: Dad might actually kill him this time)?

Charlie snuck out upstairs and got food when others were gone (or sleeping?). How did he toilet? Did anyone help him? Did he even access the alley/hallway?

Dad said Charlie was very athletic and physically fit - so did he actually move the boxes or drum or was he so small and frail that he just crawled around them?

Wen, there was a toilet in the alley. He told LE that he used that. There was even a picture in one of the articles. He also said he left the storage room (especially to get food). He did have access to the alley and somehow access to the house.

I have a hard time believing that Charlie lied about his stepmom telling him to stay down there. I have been known to be wrong a time or two though!

I am waiting to see what the FBI are able to find out. They hopefully can sort this mess out and determine the lies from the truth!!

 

[nursebeeme]

The FBI has scheduled a forensic interview on Tuesday with 12-year-old Charlie Bothuell V, who was missing for days before being found in the basement of his home, Detroit policed said today.

&#8220;Based on the outcome of this interview, the Detroit Police Department may be submitting a package to the Wayne County Prosecutor&#8217;s office as early as Wednesday afternoon,&#8221; according to a statement from Detroit police. &#8220;For the time being, Charlie is currently staying with relatives in an undisclosed location.&#8221;

http://www.freep.com/article/20140630/NEWS01/306300134/Charlie-Bothuell-missing-basement-Detroit

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

The points that I've highlighted from this article were mentioned in a brief report on WDIV at 5:00:

FBI to interview12-year-old Charlie Bothuell about disapperance

Published On: Jun 30 2014 03:19:30 PM EDT

DETROIT -
Detroit police say the FBI will question a 12-year-old Detroit boy who was missing for more than a week before police found him in his own basement...

...Police say that "based on the outcome of the interview," they may submit a report to the Wayne County prosecutor's office...

...Police say the boy's with relatives, and his father and stepmother have supervised visitation...

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/...-charlie-bothuell-about-disapperance/26729574

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

FBI To Question Boy Who Disappeared, Reappeared In Detroit Basement

June 30, 2014 4:26 PM

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) – The FBI will question a 12-year-old Detroit boy who was missing for more than a week before police found him in his own basement, police said Monday.

The FBI “has scheduled a forensic interview” on Tuesday with Charlie Bothuell V, Detroit police said in a statement.

“Based on the outcome of this interview, the Detroit Police Department may be submitting a package to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office as early as Wednesday afternoon,” the statement said...

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/06...ared-reappeared-in-detroit-basement/#comments

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

June 30, 2014 at 5:16 pm

Detroit boy, 12, to be interviewed by feds about disappearance, discovery in family home

Tony Briscoe/The Detroit News

Detroit — Federal authorities are expected to interview an autistic 12-year-old boy Tuesday who was missing for 11 days before he was found barricaded in his own basement last week to determine whether a request for a warrant will be submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, according to Detroit police.

Child abuse charges are likely to be filed against the boy’s father, Charlie Bothuell IV, said his attorney, Mark Magidson, who denied any abuse...

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140630/METRO01/306300106#ixzz36ALVhXHw