Jupiter police have arrested Tracy and Timothy Ferriter on charges of aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment, accusing them of forcing their adopted 13 year old child to live in an 8′ x 8′ room inside the garage at their home since at least 2017.

Police responded to the residence located in the Egret Landing development on January 28th when his mother Tracy Ferriter reported him missing.

During their visit, detectives discovered the small room which was furnished with a mattress, a bucket that served as a toilet, and a Ring camera above the bed.

The room was able to be locked from the outside, though Ferriter claimed it was an office.

The boy was found by police three days later at nearby Independence Middle School and told officers he would be locked up in the small room for as long as 18 hours a day.

There were three other children living in the Ferriter home all of whom are now in the custody of DCF.

During a Wednesday court appearance the Ferriter’s attorney claims the child had a mental illness, described as an attachment disorder, which necessitated his confinement.

A judge set the couple’s bond at $50,000 and ordered them to have no contact with their children.

They remain in the custody of PBSO at the Main Detention Center.