In a distressing incident, two University of Florida scientists, identified as Dustin Huff, 35, and Yurui Xie, 31, have been charged with child abuse following allegations that they confined their two children in a cage, as reported by law enforcement authorities.
The arrest of Huff and Xie took place on a Friday after a child expressed reluctance to leave school, citing a fear of being placed in a cage. Multiple news outlets, including FOX 35, WCJB, and USA Today, have reported this information, relying on statements from law enforcement officials.
According to WCJB, the children involved in this alarming case are aged 6 and 2. The outlet, citing an arrest report, disclosed that the 6-year-old informed his teacher about a cage built by Huff, where he was allegedly placed while Xie was at work.
Furthermore, WCJB reported that the purported cage for the 6-year-old was constructed from a wooden bed frame, according to details outlined in the arrest report. Shockingly, the child was reportedly left home alone while confined in this cage.
Huff and Xie, both identified as biological scientists at the university, have been placed on administrative leave, according to reports from various outlets. The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that the parents now face charges, including two counts of aggravated child abuse and one count of child neglect.
The current legal status of Huff and Xie remains uncertain, as it is not immediately clear whether they have obtained legal representation or entered a plea in response to the serious charges they are facing. Authorities are actively investigating this distressing case, with community members left shocked and concerned about the welfare of the children involved.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.