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Student rescued from 'cage bed' after years of neglect
16 Oct
Summary
- Student found in a boarded-up 'cage bed' in a basement.
- School staff contacted police after CASO was unresponsive.
- Mother sentenced to nine years for criminal negligence.
In January 2026, a severely malnourished 18-year-old was discovered by police in a makeshift 'cage bed' in a decrepit basement. The young adult, who has a rare genetic disorder, was found in a state of extreme vulnerability. School staff had raised concerns for months, reporting "suffocating anxiety and dread" due to the student's prolonged absence.
Concerns escalated as the student, born with a condition affecting speech, movement, and cognitive development, showed signs of severe neglect, including bruises and a "ravenous" appetite. School employees previously contacted the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa (CASO) when the student was a minor, but were "dissatisfied" with the response.
As the student turned 18, CASO indicated they could not act, suggesting a police wellness check. The school then contacted Ottawa Police on January 21, 2026. The student's mother pleaded guilty to criminal negligence and was sentenced to nine years in prison.
The teen, now 19, is recovering but suffers from muscle atrophy and contractures. The school community, while relieved by his survival, carries the trauma of his ordeal.
