Brookville, Pennsylvania – Two adoptive mothers are facing an extraordinary number of criminal charges after police say they subjected their teenage son to months of extreme physical and psychological abuse inside their home, including duct-taping him to the floor, withholding food, and threatening his life.
According to court records and prosecutors, Amy L. Billotte, 51, and Sarah Lynn Faber, 37, have each been charged with more than 950 criminal counts related to the alleged mistreatment of their adopted 16-year-old son. Both women are currently being held at the Jefferson County Prison on $500,000 bail each.
How the Case Came to Light
The investigation began in early September when school officials in Brookville, located about 70 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, contacted police after noticing alarming changes in the teen’s appearance. Authorities said the boy appeared severely malnourished and had lost approximately 20 pounds.
The teen had not been seen by school staff since May 2024 because he typically attended classes virtually. When concerns escalated, police and child protective services intervened and removed him from the home.
Allegations of Confinement and Surveillance
In interviews with investigators, the teen described a disturbing pattern of control and punishment. He told police he was often confined to his bedroom for hours, a room that reportedly contained no toys, books, or electronics.
According to the criminal complaint, the room was equipped with motion-sensor cameras that monitored his every movement.
“The cameras had motion sensors, and they would get upset if he moved too much,” the complaint states.
Authorities said this constant surveillance created an atmosphere of fear and isolation.
Claims of Physical Abuse and Degrading Punishments
Police allege the punishments escalated over time. As discipline, the teen reportedly was forced to stand for long periods, stripped naked, and made to take cold showers. On other occasions, he was allegedly forced to live in the basement for a week wearing only his underwear.
Investigators say the women also duct-taped him to the basement floor and on separate occasions restrained him on his bedroom floor without a mattress.
More disturbingly, the complaint alleges that the suspects cut his arm with a blade, causing excessive bleeding, and sliced his genitals, an injury the teen said could have been fatal.
“Luckily, I didn’t die from that,” the boy reportedly told investigators.
Authorities also claim the women threatened to “squirt cat insulin into his eyes,” further intensifying the charges.
Starvation and Weight Loss
The affidavit states that the abuse included withholding food. Initially, the women allegedly removed sugar-based foods from the boy’s diet, claiming they made him hyper. Over time, police say food was taken away almost entirely, leading to rapid weight loss and visible malnourishment.
After child protective services placed him in care and transported him to a hospital, officials said the teen regained the lost weight within weeks, highlighting the severity of his previous condition.
From Stability to Abuse
The teen told investigators that when he was first placed in the home, life felt stable and caring.
“I thought it was going to be fun,” he said. “There were toys and books, and they would read me bedtime stories every night.”
Police say that sense of safety eventually vanished as control and punishment replaced basic care.
Charges and Legal Status
Prosecutors filed more than 460 counts each of unlawful restraint of a minor by a parent with risk of bodily injury and more than 460 counts of false imprisonment of a minor. Additional charges include endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault, and terroristic threats.
Both Billotte and Faber were arrested Tuesday and remain incarcerated. Their next court appearance is scheduled for December 19.
A Case That Raises Broader Concerns
Authorities have not released details about how long the alleged abuse lasted or whether other children may have been affected. The case has drawn attention to the challenges of monitoring child welfare in households where children attend school remotely.
Investigators say the case remains active, and additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
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