Two young brothers were found chained at the ankles and restrained on August 15 inside of a Fairfax County home, according to sources.
The two brothers, a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old, were taken from the custody of their 47-year-old mother Wedni Del Cid Rodriguez and her alleged boyfriend, 29-year-old Franklin Viera Guevara, after being found inside an apartment in the Groveton area of Fairfax County. According to a search warrant filed by Fairfax County police, the boys were found chained to a table, unable to move freely.
By using a roommates phone, the eldest was able to send a picture of his chained ankle to his older sister who called 911. Soon after the police were able to locate and extract the two boys.
The eldest brother claims that he was “chained up after he went outside without asking.” According to the mother and her boyfriend, they restrained the boys in order to “scare them” so they would not leave the apartment.
Fox News states that a neighbor told them he was “surprised to hear of these allegations.” He also told Fox News that the brothers were “unruly” and their mother seemed “overwhelmed”, however this still did not justify their actions.
According to News4, the two boys are now safely living with their father, who’s name has not been disclosed for the safety of the family. The father spoke to News4, stating: “When I heard, I was like, Wow, why did this happen? Children don’t deserve to be treated like this. We don’t have the right to treat them like this. Maybe a criminal, but not innocent children. They’re children.”
Many others who witnessed the arrest of Rodriguez and Guevara were infuriated and in shock with the situation. One woman, who personally spoke to the sister of the boys, told News4 that she was “shocked” and “scared” and described the chain as being “four times bigger than a door chain.”
According to Fox News, Rodriguez and Guevara have both been charged with two counts of child neglect, child cruelty and abduction. While Rodriguez has been released from the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center on bond, Guevara remains there on no bond. 7News claims that Rodriguez’s preliminary hearing will be held on October 2, according to online arrest records.
Sources:
https://www.foxnews.com/us/virginia-couple-arrested-after-2-children-found-chained-up-inside-home
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/children-found-chained-in-apartment-in-groveton/3707721/
