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Eagan parents charged with harsh punishment of teen
[November 28, 2012]

Eagan parents charged with harsh punishment of teen


Nov 28, 2012 (Pioneer Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- For one Eagan teen, confinement in a dark room with no bed, constant video surveillance and extreme daily workouts was among regular home punishments, according to a criminal complaint.



Now, Angela and Gregory Danner, the boy's mother and stepfather, face charges of child neglect and malicious punishment of a child, both gross misdemeanors.

The Danners did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.


According to the criminal complaint, filed Tuesday, Nov. 27, in Dakota County District Court: The boy, 15, this spring told Eagan police officers and social services workers that his mother and stepfather removed his bed and the lights from his room and covered his windows as punishment for "unacceptable behaviors." The boy said he slept on the floor with a pillow and blanket.

He said he was not allowed to leave the room except to use the bathroom or complete chores or physical exercises. His sister brought him peanut butter sandwiches nightly.

The exercises, described as another form of punishment, began a few years ago, the boy said. They often included 1,500 to 2,000 pushups per day and miles-long runs in cold weather.

To monitor his movements, the boy said, the Danners set up a video camera in his bedroom.

Marino Eccher can be reached at 651-228-5421.

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Paul, Minn.) at www.twincities.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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