Parents Plead To Withholding Food From Sons

DEXTER, Minn. (AP) -- A Dexter couple accused of chaining their 5-year-old son to his crib and with withholding food and access to the bathroom from him and his older brother entered pleas in Mower County District Court Thursday.

Thirty-three-year-old Brian Dale Miller and 26-year-old Charity Lynn Miller both pleaded guilty to gross misdemeanor false imprisonment. They also entered Alford pleas to malicious punishment. With the Alford plea, the couple does not admit guilt, but rather acknowledges sufficient evidence exists which could cause a judge or jury to find them guilty. Five other charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Brian Miller told the judge gates and locks weren't working, so they chained the younger boy to his crib. Court documents say the 8-year-old son told police he's gotten into trouble at school for taking food from other students because he's hungry all the time.

The Austin Daily Herald says sentencing is scheduled June 22.

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