An 11-year-old in Youngstown, Ohio, was rescued from a dog cage after a house fire and is now in the care of Mahoning County Children Services. Witnesses said the crate appeared to have multiple locks. The boy's father, identified as Frank, maintains his son often played in the cage and accidentally locked himself inside; authorities are investigating. A shelter care hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 3 p.m.
Father Says Boy Locked Himself in Dog Cage During Youngstown House Fire — 11-Year-Old Rescued
Frank, the child's father, told WKBN that his son likes to play in the dog cage and was doing so when the fire started (WKBN)
An 11-year-old boy in Youngstown, Ohio, was found trapped inside a dog cage after a house fire early Monday and has been placed in the care of Mahoning County Children Services while authorities investigate.
Emergency crews were called to a home on Forest View Drive at about 12:30 a.m., where three people had already escaped the blaze and were waiting outside. Firefighters later discovered the child inside a dog crate; a witness told local media the cage appeared to have three locks.
The child's father, identified only as Frank, says his son often climbed into the crate to play and locked himself inside when the fire began. Frank told WKBN that he initially tried to free his son with his bare hands and injured himself in the attempt. A neighbor arrived with a knife and helped cut the cage open so the boy could be removed.
Frank, the child's father, told WKBN that his son likes to play in the dog cage and was doing so when the fire started (WKBN)
"He went into the cage. He locked himself in there, and now I'm panicking... Black smoke in my face. I can't breathe," Frank recalled. "And I bust the cage completely open. I pick my son up, and I say, 'I'm so sorry, but you have to go now.'"
Frank said he was the last person to escape because ongoing health problems slowed him down. He and his other child have been placed in the custody of Children Services pending the investigation.
Investigation and Next Steps
Youngstown police, the fire department and Mahoning County Children Services are reviewing the circumstances of the fire and the child's confinement in the cage. A shelter care hearing for Frank is scheduled for Wednesday at 3 p.m., where officials may determine next steps in the case.
Mahoning County Children Services told WKBN it "takes every report seriously and is committed to protecting the needs and rights of the children and families involved." The Independent has contacted Youngstown police and fire departments, as well as Mahoning County Children Services, for comment.
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