An 11-year-old boy was rescued after being found malnourished and covered in waste when his mother locked him in his room. Rachel Nicole Blaylock, 40, was apprehended by authorities in Baytown, Texas, following an urgent welfare check on her child at their residence.
Upon entering the house, officers encountered a strong stench of excrement and a swarm of flies. The boy, who is non-verbal and autistic, was discovered in his bedroom weighing only 46 pounds (20kg) with fecal matter on his body and under his nails.
It was revealed that the child was confined to his room with a screen door that could only be locked from the outside, restricting his movement while allowing Blaylock to monitor him. The bedroom was described as unclean, with a filthy mattress and fecal matter scattered around.
Blaylock was instructed to take her son to the hospital, but she reportedly refused, expressing frustration at the prospect of medical consultations. Medical assessments later revealed severe autism and significant dental issues resulting from neglect, leading to Blaylock’s arrest on charges of child injury. Additionally, she faced charges related to methamphetamine possession in a separate incident, with a bond set at $250,000 (£186,000).
Court documents included complaints from the boy’s grandmother, detailing his prolonged confinement in his room and lack of care. The grandmother criticized Blaylock’s parenting, stating she did not engage much with the child. Child Protective Services had previously urged Blaylock to seek medical attention for the boy due to his low weight.
The average weight for an 11-year-old boy in the US is 79 pounds (35kg).
