Couple Confined Child for Years in Gloucester Township

A Gloucester Township couple has been arrested and charged with first-degree criminal restraint after allegedly confining a child in their home for several years under horrific conditions. Brian Willis, 39, and Morgan Harper, 37, were taken into custody Tuesday following the dramatic escape of their 16-year-old ward from their Ashland Avenue residence, according to Patch.

The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office reports that the teenage victim was found by neighbors in a severely malnourished state after fleeing the home around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday. The girl told authorities she had been kept in a dog crate for extended periods and subjected to various forms of abuse during her time in the couple’s care.

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The Escape and Rescue

According to police reports, the victim managed to escape the residence when her captors were asleep, fleeing barefoot despite injuries and malnourishment. A resident walking their dog discovered the teenager several blocks from the home and immediately called 911, according to Courier Post.

“She was in a terrible state – severely underweight, disoriented, and terrified,” said Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins at a Wednesday press conference. “She told responding officers that she feared she would be killed if she was returned to the home.”

Emergency medical personnel transported the victim to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where she remains in stable condition. Medical staff reported that the teenager showed signs of long-term malnutrition and had numerous injuries in various stages of healing, consistent with her accounts of ongoing abuse.

Criminal Charges Filed

Willis and Harper face multiple charges including first-degree criminal restraint, second-degree aggravated assault, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The couple appeared before Superior Court Judge Mary Eva Colalillo on Wednesday and were ordered held without bail pending a detention hearing scheduled for Monday.

“The allegations in this case represent one of the most disturbing instances of child abuse we have seen,” said Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay. “The deliberate and sustained cruelty inflicted upon this child is beyond comprehension, and we intend to pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law.”

According to the criminal complaint, evidence recovered from the home included the dog crate the victim described, restraints, and materials corroborating the girl’s account of her confinement. Investigators also found evidence suggesting efforts to hide the victim’s presence from visitors to the home.

History and Oversight Failures

Court records indicate that Willis and Harper became the girl’s legal guardians in 2021 following difficulties with her biological family. Questions have emerged about how the situation evaded detection by social services and educational authorities for so long, according to Philly Voice.

The couple reportedly told neighbors and officials they were homeschooling the child due to special needs, effectively removing her from the oversight that regularly occurs in traditional school settings. Neighbors interviewed by investigators reported rarely seeing the girl and being told by the couple that she had behavioral issues requiring specialized care.

“This case highlights critical gaps in our systems designed to protect vulnerable children,” said Maria Rodriguez, executive director of New Jersey Child Advocates. “Homeschooling situations, while legitimate for many families, can sometimes be misused to isolate children from mandatory reporters and community oversight.”

Community Response

The case has shocked the Gloucester Township community, where the couple had lived for approximately six years. Neighbors described Willis and Harper as quiet but seemingly normal community members who participated in local events and maintained a well-kept property.

“I never would have suspected anything like this,” said neighbor Robert Jennings. “They seemed like ordinary people. We would exchange pleasantries, and they would attend block parties occasionally. There were never any obvious signs that something so horrific was happening inside their home.”

Local mental health professionals and child welfare organizations have mobilized to provide support services to community members affected by the revelations. The Gloucester Township School District has made counselors available at all schools to help students process the disturbing news.

Official Review Underway

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families has launched an internal review of the case to determine how the abuse escaped detection. Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer announced that the department would examine all previous interactions with the family and evaluate current protocols for monitoring homeschooled children.

“We are conducting a comprehensive review to identify any procedural failures or missed opportunities for intervention,” Beyer said in a statement. “If systemic issues are identified, we are committed to implementing immediate reforms to prevent similar situations in the future.”

State legislators have also responded to the case, with Senator Fred Madden announcing plans to introduce legislation strengthening oversight of homeschooling arrangements, particularly for children with histories of family difficulties or involvement with child welfare services.

The victim remains under medical care and is receiving specialized trauma services. Authorities are working with child welfare officials to secure appropriate long-term placement focused on her recovery and rehabilitation.