A Tennessee mother and her boyfriend have been charged with caregiver neglect after deputies allege they forced a vulnerable 18-year-old with autism to live in a backyard shed without running water, electricity, or a bathroom for months. Amanda Sewell, 38, and Brandon Cox, 33, reportedly cut off power to the structure as an incentive for the teenager to find a job, leaving him to endure temperatures reaching 93 degrees without air conditioning or a fan.
Background
The investigation began when the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office responded to a call for help from the victim, who had been living in the shed behind his mother's residence since turning 18 in February. According to WKRN, the teen told deputies that Sewell and Cox had removed doorknobs from the back doors of the main house and forbade him from entering when Cox was present. The victim was reportedly fed through a window and instructed to drink water from a hose, while using a bag as a toilet inside the shed. At one point, the teenager required hospitalization due to dehydration.
The Charges
Both Sewell and Cox have been charged with caregiver neglect of a vulnerable adult, according to Cheatham County court records reviewed by Law&Crime. The defendants were booked into the Cheatham County Jail but have since bonded out. Investigators who searched the shed reported finding trash and very little bedding. Authorities stated that Sewell told deputies she had removed the electricity to pressure her son into finding employment, though the conditions appeared to persist well beyond a simple disciplinary measure.
Key Takeaways
- Amanda Sewell and Brandon Cox face charges of caregiver neglect of a vulnerable adult in Cheatham County.
- The victim, an 18-year-old with autism, allegedly lived in a shed without power, water, or a bathroom for months.
- Deputies reported the teen was fed through a window and used a bag as a toilet.
- The victim was hospitalized for dehydration during the period of alleged neglect.
- Both defendants have bonded out of jail following their arrest.
What's Next
The victim has been removed from the residence and placed in a safe location by authorities. Sewell and Cox are scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 25 to address the neglect charges. The case remains under review by the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office and local prosecutors.