Police Reveal Disturbing Details In Murrieta 'Torture' Case Of 5-Year-Old Boy

UPDATE HERE —> 'Poor Prognosis For Recovery' Of Murrieta Boy, 5, Who Was Tortured: Police

MURRIETA, CA — Two Murrieta residents are accused of child abuse and torture after a young boy was found Tuesday with severe injuries living in "extremely unsanitary" conditions. Both the boy's father and his live-in girlfriend have been booked into the French Valley jail, records show. Benjamin Whitten, 33, was booked on $1 million bail, while Jeryn Johnson, 25, was booked on $75,000 bail.

Police say no other children were at the residence.

The boy was discovered just after 10 a.m. Tuesday, when police got a 911 call in the 2400 block of Verdun Lane, near California Oaks Road and Jackson Avenue, according to Murrieta Police Lt. Tony Conrad.

"His condition required immediate medical attention and he was transported via ambulance to a local hospital," Conrad said in a news release. "Officers on scene determined the incident was an apparent case of child abuse and the Murrieta Police Department Detective Bureau was notified and called out to the scene."

The boy, whose name was not released, was later airlifted to a hospital in San Diego County and as of noon Wednesday he remained in "grave condition," Conrad said.

Detectives immediately began questioning residents and witnesses upon the Tuesday discovery. By the end of the day, they'd arrested they boy's father, Whitten, and Johnson who "...were responsible for the dire condition of the child," Conrad said.

The two were booked on charges of willful harm to a child and infliction of great bodily injury, according to jail records. The father is also being held on a charge of torture and police say that his girlfriend will also be charged with torture.

What's more, while police were at the scene, they say they found "extremely unsanitary" living conditions and 11 dogs, four cats and two fish were taken from the location by Animal Control.

Police say they are working with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office due to the severity of injuries the boy sustained.

"The Riverside County District Attorney's Office responded to the scene and worked with the detectives throughout the night," Conrad said. "The investigation continues today and updates will be provided as the investigation progresses."

Anyone with information related to the case was asked to contact Detective Sergeant Spencer Parker at 951-461-6364. Anyone with information reference this case that has not already been contacted by MurrietaPD is encouraged to contact Sergeant Parker.

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Crime scene photo credit: Murrieta Patch / Booking photos courtesy Murrieta Police Department