NJ Girl Escapes Home After Being Kept in Dog Crate

A 16-year-old girl escaped from a New Jersey home where she had allegedly been kept in a dog crate and subjected to years of abuse by her guardians. The teenager fled from a Gloucester Township residence early Tuesday morning and was found by neighbors who immediately contacted local authorities, according to NBC News.

Police have arrested the girl’s legal guardians, Brian Willis, 39, and Morgan Harper, 37, who now face multiple charges including aggravated assault, criminal restraint, and endangering the welfare of a child. Authorities described the case as “one of the most disturbing instances of child abuse” they have encountered.

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Escape and Discovery

The victim managed to escape the home on Ashland Avenue around 3:30 a.m. when her captors were asleep, according to Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins. She ran approximately three blocks before being found by a resident walking their dog, who described the girl as severely malnourished and disoriented.

“She was in a state of panic and clearly suffering from long-term abuse,” said the neighbor who found her, who asked to remain anonymous. “She kept saying she couldn’t go back there and that they would kill her if they found her.”

First responders transported the teenager to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where medical staff found evidence of severe malnutrition, dehydration, and injuries consistent with prolonged physical abuse, according to Fox News.

Horrific Living Conditions

According to the criminal complaint, the victim told investigators she had been confined to a dog crate for “days at a time” as punishment and was often denied food, water, and access to bathroom facilities. Police executing a search warrant at the residence discovered the crate in a basement room, along with restraints and other evidence supporting the victim’s account.

“The conditions this young girl was subjected to are nothing short of torture,” said Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay at a Wednesday press conference. “Our investigation indicates she was systematically isolated from society, denied education, and subjected to ongoing physical and psychological abuse.”

Authorities believe the abuse began approximately four years ago after the girl was placed in the couple’s care following family difficulties. Investigators are examining how the situation escaped detection by social services and educational authorities for so long.

Suspects’ Background

Court records reveal that Willis and Harper became the girl’s legal guardians in 2021 after she was removed from her biological parents’ home. The couple reportedly told neighbors and officials that they were homeschooling the teenager due to special needs and behavioral issues.

“They portrayed themselves as dedicated caregivers who had taken in a troubled child,” said Detective Sarah Miller of the Gloucester Township Police Department. “In reality, they were using this narrative as cover to isolate and abuse her.”

Investigators are examining whether the couple received state subsidies or benefits for the girl’s care during the period of alleged abuse. Neither suspect appears to have prior criminal records related to child abuse or neglect, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Systemic Failures

The case has raised serious questions about potential gaps in New Jersey’s child welfare system. Records indicate that the Department of Children and Families conducted an initial home study before placing the child with Willis and Harper but performed limited follow-up monitoring.

“This appears to be a catastrophic failure of the systems designed to protect vulnerable children,” said Maria Rodriguez, executive director of New Jersey Child Advocates. “There should have been regular check-ins and verification of the child’s wellbeing, especially given the homeschooling situation which can sometimes be used to hide abuse.”

New Jersey Department of Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer announced an immediate internal review of the case. “We are conducting a thorough examination of every interaction our department had with this family to determine where the system failed this child,” Beyer said in a statement.

Legal Proceedings

Willis and Harper made their initial court appearance Wednesday via video conference from the Camden County Correctional Facility. Superior Court Judge Mary Eva Colalillo ordered both defendants to remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Monday.

If convicted on all charges, the couple could face up to 30 years in prison. Attorneys for both defendants declined to comment on the specific allegations but noted that they would be conducting their own investigation into the circumstances.

The victim remains hospitalized in stable condition and is receiving specialized trauma care. Authorities say they are working to secure appropriate long-term placement that will support her recovery from the ordeal.