Boy Found Chained - Logan, Utah

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/10/dad-chained-kid-to-bed_n_5482223.html

I live in Logan, UT. Huffington post has it WRONG, they really didn't do any research at all on this story before posting it. Details about the father have been spewed ALL over the local news sites, and he was arrested the day of the "check". There was even an interesting interview with the neighbors. According to the neighbors, they assumed nothing was amiss with the family because they were always very social when the neighbors were outside.

This is actually a poor part of Logan, it looks to be right behind the Smith's near Main Street (closer to main street you get, the cheaper the living). The house itself looks maintained, as is required by Logan City. It is currently all taped off, and the road is closed. (I drove past it the other day wondering what was going on)

The father was arrested. The 28-year-old father was booked into Cache County Jail on four counts of child abuse. (This is actually across town, and not a far drive from his house. There is a small jail where they house criminals awaiting sentencing)

The chain used was a logging chain. It had enough "give" in it for the son to go to the bathroom in the adjacent room, or get a drink of water. The son claimed that it felt like a dog bite, or sharp pinch, whenever it jerked on him. There were also snacks left for the son to eat. (At least the idiot thought ahead, right?)

The girlfriend of the father also lives there, but she is not the biological mother. She refused to answer the door when they tried to speak to her about it.

The father is black (very rare in Logan, small town, almost zero black families...). His name is Sammie Hodges and has prior records for domestic violence in the presence of a child, assault and disorderly conduct in 2008. He later pleaded guilty to single counts of assault and disorderly conduct. He was also convicted of felony forgery and theft in 2009. He was arrested in 2011 when he broke the terms of his probation.

Here is a local news site about some of it...most of what I am typing I heard on the news yesterday.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865604897/Police-find-Logan-6-year-old-chained-to-bed-while-father-went-to-work.html

This is from our police blotter: "Child Abuse June, 10 2014 10:53:01 14-L9147
Tue Jun 10 15:39:33 MDT 2014

Police responded to the area of 1400 E 900 N on report of a child abuse. One
male was arrested for child abuse charges."

Some things to understand: People in Logan are backwards, stuck in the 60s. They are VERY religious, and if you attend church, then you are considered "normal" and written off. If you are not religious, then you are shunned and they cause a lot of problems for you. Also, according to a LOT of people, crime doesn't exist. Don't dare mention the word pedophile, or they think you are a nutjob.

As per putting the child in daycare, I believe the child is 6-7 years old and attends a local school here...that my daughters' attend. They are currently offering FREE daycare at the school during the summer (school is out) until 5pm. After 5pm, until 10pm, it's $10 for the entire summer. So, basically, this man could have enrolled his child in these two programs (which I have received SO many calls from the school district, and letters home about - things like this are blasted nonstop until mid-July, and is a way for the school to make money.) FOR FREE until 5pm. There is no excuse for that child to be home alone...and chained. There is also a FREE Boys and Girls club going. (Tons of FREE daycare, as most families have 5+ children here...)

That's about all of the information I have heard on it.