Children Kept in Cages, Mother Arrested: Authorities

Two women are in custody after deputies found “homemade cages” for two children, ages 11 and 8, in a Murray County home, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Their mother, Stephanie Elizabeth Stone, 34, of Chatsworth has been charged with 1st degree cruelty to children, false imprisonment and possession of a controlled substance. Wanda Sue Redfern also faces a cruelty to children charge and false imprisonment.

Responding to a 911 call Thursday morning, a deputy spoke with Stone and an 8-year-girl, according to the GBI. He left without searching the home, but officers returned after a second 911 call Thursday afternoon provided more information.

“The deputy gained consent to enter the home and discovered two homemade cages inside the bedroom areas of the home,” according to the GBI. “One of the cages was occupied by an 11-year-old male child and the other cage was empty.”

The children appeared uninjured, but undergoing further examination, authorities told the AJC. Family Children Services has taken custody of the children.

“I’ve been in law enforcement 30 years for the GBI. I’ve never seen anything like this. Never,” GBI Special Agent Greg Ramey told 11-Alive. “These are ones that you hear about somewhere else.”