Conn. mother arrested after malnourished 10-year-old boy found locked in 'squalor'

NEW LONDON, Conn. (TCD) -- Police arrested a 38-year-old mother last week in connection with the abuse, assault, and strangulation of her 10-year-old son, who was allegedly found malnourished.

According to the New London Police Department, officials launched an investigation on Jan. 29 following a domestic violence report. Police responded to a home and found the 10-year-old victim "living in squalor, inhuman conditions" and determined he was the "subject of abuse for a duration of time."

The boy suffered from bruising, malnourishment, and a broken finger.

The Hartford Courant reports that the child was allegedly locked inside a room with a deadbolt on the door, and he told investigators he was often confined there for hours. Inside, the room contained only a plastic sheet on the ground, a slab of wood, and a blanket. The child reportedly told police he slept in the room and was sometimes forced to sleep in a tiny closet and could only leave to use the restroom.

According to the Hartford Courant, the victim said it had been weeks since he last changed his clothes or bathed.

The victim reportedly told police he was tied up with a piece of bathrobe cloth and Michael Gregor would beat him until he could barely breathe. Gregor also allegedly hit the child in the legs with a piece of wood. WTIC-TV reports Gregor is the boy’s stepfather.

The child was allegedly forbidden to go into the kitchen to eat, and Gregor would strike him on the head when he lied about taking food. Gregor also allegedly deprived the boy of water, and when asked if he needed to go to the bathroom, the boy would be kicked, stomped, and struck if he didn’t have to urinate or didn’t urinate enough.

According to WTIC, the boy required treatment at two different hospitals due to the severity of his malnourishment.

The Hartford Courant reports that the abuse allegedly began when the family lived in Norwich. The victim reportedly told investigators Gregor had previously "hog-tied" him and placed him in a cabinet.

According to the Hartford Courant, investigators learned the child hadn’t attend school for a long time, and the boy’s mother, Melissa Gregor, said it was because she wanted to hide his injuries.

The boy reportedly said his mother was forced to help his stepfather because he threatened to hit her and the child. The child also told police his mother stuffed socks into his mouth one time, the Hartford Courant reports.

There were reportedly three children in the home.

On Thursday, March 23, police arrested Michael Gregor on charges of first-degree strangulation, second-degree assault, cruelty to persons, risk of injury to a minor, unlawful restraint, reckless endangerment. His bond was set at $750,000.

New London Police said Melissa Gregor was taken into custody Thursday, May 11, on charges of risk of injury to a minor, conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit unlawful restraint, conspiracy to commit cruelty to persons, conspiracy to commit first-degree strangulation, and conspiracy to commit reckless endangerment.

She was released on $250,000 bond.

MORE:

• Media Release and Update — New London Police Department
• 10-year-old boy was reportedly ‘living in squalor,’ abused, and locked in closet, 3/24/2023 — TCD
• CT woman charged in case involving malnourished boy who was locked in closet, beaten — Hartford Courant
• 2nd arrest made in New London child abuse case — WTIC