A former Georgia Tech football player, who briefly signed with the NFL allegedly kept the oldest of his ten children locked in a tiny basement with blacked out windows for nearly two years. After receiving an anonymous tip, the teen was discovered on June 16.
Recardo Wimbush, 33, and his 37-year-old wife, Therian kept the 13 year old in deplorable conditions, including a window that was painted over, no light bulbs, a mattress and box spring and a bucket to use the bathroom. The couple faces criminal charges for false imprisonment and cruelty to children.
The couple justified their actions, accusing the teen of molesting three of his younger siblings. According to court papers, no evidence has been found supporting their claims and none of the other nine children mentioned any abuse by the unidentified teenager.
The boy told police he was first locked in the tiny basement in January 2013, after stealing a DVD player and lying about it. He was fed at normal times, but was denied access to his siblings, books, toys or entertainment. Investigators found no signs of abuse or malnourishment of the couple’s other children.
Wimbush, who was a star defensive player with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 1999-2002, signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent in 2003. The team released him before the season started.
The Georgia Division of Family and Child Services took the 10 children — the youngest, 18 months — into custody.