New Hampshire man and woman accused of confining a child in their basement for months
They have been charged with criminal restraint, kidnapping, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Police in New Hampshire last week arrested a man and woman accused of confining a child in a small basement room for months. New Boston police arrested Denise Atkocaitis, 55, on Thursday and Thomas Atkocaitis, 57, on Friday. Both are facing felony charges of criminal restraint and kidnapping, as well as a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child, according to New Boston police.The man and woman, both of New Boston, are accused of “confining a minor, under the age of 18, with the purpose to terrorize;” exposing the child to “risk of serious bodily injury;” and “purposely violating a duty of care, protection or support owed to such child.” Police said the arrests stemmed from an investigation that began on Sept. 5.“Essentially, what we’re alleging is that they confined a child to a room smaller than eight by eight feet in their basement for a period over two months beginning in July,” New Boston Police Chief James Brace told the New Hampshire Union Leader. “The room was not equipped with lighting; there was one window that was covered with a wire mesh that would have made it inaccessible to the victim.”The room’s door was set with an alarm, WMUR reports, and the child was only allowed to leave for meals or the bathroom. According to the Union Leader, the couple reported their 15-year-old daughter missing on Sept. 5. She was found safe the next day. Brace told the newspaper it was the 15-year-old, who had been homeschooled by her adopted parents, who informed authorities about the living conditions in the New Boston home. He did not say whether the teen was the same minor the Atkocaitises are accused of confining in the basement. Both Denise and Thomas Atkocaitis were released on their own personal recognizance and are scheduled to appear in Hillsborough County Superior Court on Nov. 1.
