Father locks son in wooden box for two months

The father was punishing his son for stealing three chickens.

By Hugh O'Connell Friday 17 Jun 2011, 3:02 PM

Jun 17th 2011, 3:02 PM 1,534 Views 15 Comments

http://jrnl.ie/158096

Johan Knelson in the box

Image: Screengrab via ReutersVideo YouTube.

Johan Knelson in the box

Image: Screengrab via ReutersVideo YouTube.

A CANADIAN MAN locked his son in a box no bigger than a portable toilet for eight weeks and only released him when forced to do so by police.

The Telegraph reports that Johan Knelsen, 21, was forced to live in the homemade wooden prison in his home in eastern Bolivia as punishment for stealing three chickens.

His Canadian father, David told authorities that his son was mentally ill and had stolen livestock. The family are members of Bolivia’s Christian Mennonites, a denomination that follows a very strict interpretation of the Bible and does not use technology.

Reuters carries video of the police raiding the property in the city of Santa Cruz with Johan visibly upset with his ordeal as he speaks to the media from inside the box. He was later released upon the orders of the police.

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Father locks son in wooden box for two months