Crime & Safety
Ankeny Parents Charged With Locking Children in Basement
One of the couple's children reportedly told a school official about the mistreatment, which led to the parents' arrest and in investigation by the Department of Human Services.
The Iowa Department of Human Services is investigating allegations that an Ankeny couple locked their children in a basement any time they were not in school for a three- to four-week period, according to KCCI.com.
Paul Drake, 45, and JoAnn Drake, 44, are each charged with two counts of neglect or abandonment of a dependent person and two counts of false imprisonment.
They were released from the Polk County Jail Wednesday afternoon, according to the jail's website.
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The DHS started investigating the allegations in September, KCCI said.
Police said the couple allegedly locked their adopted boy and girl, ages 14 and 13, in a basement room for a period of three to four weeks and fed them under the locked door, KCCI reported.
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The children were locked in the room after school and on weekends, police told the TV station.
Authorities said the allegations surfaced after one of the children told school officials who then contacted DHS.
On Oct. 5, Ankeny police interviewed the Drakes, then charged the parents following a consultation with Polk County prosecutors.
DHS officials told KCCI they are not able to comment on the case.
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