In 19 and a half years, I have never witnessed anything like that. >> It's a bad friend. >> Yeah, what country are you? >> And then when we walk in, they're like this. I saw heading zoom. >> Okay. Officers have just responded to a Florida home where two university scientist teachers allegedly hold two of their captive in wooden compartments. >> We got a report of a >> What is it about? >> The father built a to lock him in it while the mother worked. >> The allegation is one sentence that says that they did not want to come home cuz dad built a to lock him in there while the mom was at work. >> On December 8th, 2023, authorities in Gainesville, Florida responded to a deeply disturbing child welfare complaint at the home of two university scientists. Dustin Huff and his wife, Yuri She, were investigated after their 6-year-old son told his teachers that he did not want to return home. The young boy made a chilling revelation to school staff stating that his father had built a to lock him inside while his mother was at work. >> Did I just step on something? >> What are you doing? >> Hi. >> Hello. What happened? What happened? Hello. >> We're going to go in now. >> Lindsay Drummond, Children and Families Services. Hello. Um we got a report Hello. My name is Adrienne Drummond, Children and Families Services. >> Yes. >> Um is this the Huff family? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Um we got a report of Do you know where he is? We got a report he went down to talk. >> What is it about? >> Um so the allegations that Felix did not want to return home because the father built a to lock him in it while the mother worked. >> What do you mean? >> That's that's That's That's what we got. very often though. See what's going on. >> What's happened? >> Buddy. >> Feels like being bad in the house. >> Okay. >> Feels like being bad. What do we do? >> You guys all right? >> Okay. >> So, my baby spilled something on the couch. >> As officers and workers from the Department of Children and Families investigated, they uncovered a harrowing reality inside the home. They discovered that the 6-year-old was routinely in a wooden enclosure with a mattress, staying there from after school until his dad returned and again overnight. Shockingly, investigators also found a second cage in the master bedroom closet, described as looking like a wire dog pen where the couple kept their >> We just started, but it's I can tell you right now it's kind of weird. So, the allegation is that dad built a to feed the inside while the mom worked. Well, that's it. That's all the So, we bizarre Um Well, they're they're both young and I want to say one is probably five and the other one is probably three. We don't know. That's how she has They all seem surprised that we're here, but when we when they opened the door, the the older boy immediately was like, "Oh, no." So, I don't know, but apparently the the the one that said that he didn't want to come home. They're very young though. I don't know. >> I haven't looked cuz I was driving. >> Out here? >> Who is this? >> That's the F C R. And the sad part is they don't even think there's anything wrong with with what they're doing. >> How you doing? >> Hey, how are you? It's up to the side. >> It's a It's a It's a It's a betting zoo cage. >> Is it a box? And how old would you say >> He's 6 years old. He started They started doing that when he was 5. They've been doing this for over a year. Not That's That's from yesterday, so that's That's pretty much all that. >> So, where's the other one? >> He's in there with >> Um So, um after school >> Mhm. >> Mom, uh I guess after lunch break So, he goes to walk from elementary at 6 years. >> Okay. >> The 2-year-old was in daycare, so he's there from 8:00 a.m. to like 5:00 p.m. Uh after school, while he's got an hour, maybe 1:45 to 2:00 p.m. So, and dad said he doesn't get out He said it varies, but sometimes 3:30. Uh so, mom said that she puts them or for an hour and a half a day. >> He showed us how to >> Yeah. >> And then inside the pen, it's just like a little thin mattress. Like they generally use like a It's like a betting zoo cage. >> The actual box spring is on the other side. It's on the outside of the >> And the other >> regular regular >> regular has a a bed. A bed in a different room. >> GPT-1 >> Okay, let's go ahead and y'all do do your thing. Once Connelly gets here, um depending on what information you get >> So, can I ask the parents where can they get their first or do you guys want to read them their Miranda first? >> Um we'll go ahead and read them first. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um and then cuz at that point, I mean, if we do have to put them in handcuffs, that I mean >> That way we can argue. >> They'll have to tell us where to go. Hopefully then, the biggest thing we're trying to avoid is putting them in handcuffs in front of >> Mhm. >> So, cuz they were already kind of hesitant when we when they saw me first. >> Yeah. >> They're kind of like, "Oh, nobody nobody done anything wrong." I'm like, "Oh, okay. Here we go." >> Realizing the gravity of the situation, the responding officers carefully coordinated their next steps to avoid putting the parents in handcuffs in front of the They quietly agreed to read the parents their Miranda rights and detain them away from the kids' line of sight. What the officer found inside the home left little room for doubt, and even less room for Dustin Huff to get away with what he had done. >> Mom, can we stay at the park? >> You want to shut the door, or you want to keep it open? No, ma'am. No, ma'am. I just need to talk to Mr. Huff. >> What happened? >> Nothing. All right, Mr. Huff. So, we are obviously we're here because of the allegations of the Okay. Um, I'm going to be completely honest with you. Um I'm getting ready to read you your rights because unlawfully or willfully taking a kid is a is a crime. Do you understand each of these rights that I've explained to you? >> Yes. >> Having these rights in mind, do you wish to speak with me? >> No. >> Okay. All right, go ahead, sir. If you don't mind, sir. You got anything in your pocket that can poke me, Mr. Huff? >> Um, I think I just have my pocket knife. >> Okay. All right. Do you ever watch the kids? >> No, we don't. >> No. So, where where will they stay? >> Cuz there's no one there. >> Well, see I have to For now, they stay in there and try to find somebody who can take care of them. >> What did the allegation say? I don't >> So the allegation is one sentence that says that the kid did not want to come home because dad built a to lock him in there while the mom was at work. So that's the allegation. And I have I have the actual copy of the allegation and stuff on my >> Dad didn't want to talk to him. >> Make sure you uh you take that away, copy of it with the CR number, and turn it into the >> No, yeah, that's being I'll turn it in. I'll I'll put all that on I'll let you do this this up on that. >> sure mom knows. >> I'm not sure she knows. >> So do you want uh They had a sheet. So he said he have a neighbor, but they really don't watch the >> I don't know about the conversation he had with them. >> There has to be something. >> You want to watch them? >> But I don't know if mom will >> So do you want us to start that process? >> With the Yeah, I don't know if she's going to talk to mom. >> Well, yeah, she's The only thing that she has left is try to find where can the >> So obviously the allegation is at school. >> Well, it must She hasn't told me yet, but it but somebody he I think he told I think he told somebody at school. Cuz yeah. >> It'll be a lot of >> Yeah, if you want, let me go to my car real quick and grab the paper so you can read it. But it specifically says that he says that he didn't want to because they built a in there. >> If you know, this won't be a big um If you can get a pull your truck out that way. >> I'll pull behind you. >> Yeah, that'll be safe. So he he didn't lock it until the next morning when they wake up. >> Correct. But the kid goes to school at 7:00, so he stays in pretty much till 7:00. I can try to once we ask her if we can try to figure out what time he actually goes to bed. But it's they made it sound like it's the whole night because when he goes to school, he wears regular underwear. Here it's pull-ups basically. >> So >> Um >> he gets up at 7, goes to school, gets out about 1:45. He Then he has to bed, gets home at >> 2 hours, yeah. For like 2 hours and then >> The bed is from like 3:00, 3:30. >> Like 3:00, 3:30-ish. He said that he said that it bed is but it's basically approximately 2 hours. And here's the allegation. He said that he didn't want to go home. Hello. It's like I just saw you. Hello. We just saw you a second 2 years ago. So they called sleeping kids. >> Oh, that's just right where they sleep. >> I'm 12 years old and I'm here. I'm I'm attempting to I'm with the dad but not sure if he can come to clean. I'm just figuring out where he can go. >> Okay. >> But yeah, that's how part of it they don't see anything wrong with >> Oh, so they were just chill with they just told you. Oh, they were like, "Oh yeah, no, this is this is a bed frame. Yeah, we'll come show you." And then we walk in and we're like, "This is a hidden zoo." >> And then the 6-year-old So he goes to school on regular underwear but at night they put him on pull-ups and it has like two locks like the booster. Okay. So this is this this is where they the 6-year-old sleeps. >> Oh. >> Like on a frame from work and they're like, "Oh, it's a bed frame." I'm like, No. And it has like a mattress inside and then this is the actual box the box spring for the bed would be. That's from yesterday. But, yeah. And you have the two locks for And the kids are like, "Yeah, that puts me here." And he just I guess he just showed me a picture. There's another knot wood like that, but it's It almost looks like an actual dog pen like wired. And And that's where they took all the end of closet out of the master bedroom. And that's where the two little girls >> Okay. >> So, sorry to drag you into that. But, if you want to go in, uh Sarge and Carmen are in there. They'll um Carmen? Let's go. We'll work on Where Where's your phone? >> It's in the house. >> Where at in the >> In the house. >> Come on now, don't do that. Don't keep tensing up. You walk into the garage. You can get to your phone in the house. Sarge, you're ready? >> Sarge, can I hold on? Hold on now. >> I can't tell you, man. You got to go see the sergeant in there. >> I don't know. So, we said that Where Where's your phone and where's your husband's phone? >> I I don't know my husband's phone. >> Okay. So, just put your leg inside, please. Thank you. >> Can I take my purse inside first? Can I >> And your purse Yeah, your purse will come with you. >> um Let me get my phone to unlock it. >> Can I touch my phone only? >> Just your phone? Okay, I will bring your phone only. >> You can unlock your um But, yeah, if you could just >> I'll take my I'll take pictures of the whole house. >> Shortly after securing the father, officers also detained the children's mother, Yurubi C, as the full scope of the scene set in. While discussing the scene, the officers expressed sheer disbelief, with one noting that in nearly two decades on the job, they had never witnessed anything so psychologically damaging. They described the makeshift as as literal death traps, noting that the enclosures had exposed springs, sharp edges, and gaps where the kids could easily get trapped or severely injured. >> Huh? >> for both in for both in >> Okay. >> Yeah, I'm I'm saying just jump so I >> I'm going to be very honest based off the attorney. This 6-year-old, do you really think that's a They're probably not going to agree with each other on that one, but the So, clear as day as for the 2-year-old, but the I think it's going to be a little harder cuz the 6-year-old that would has like more space and kind of like a freedom aspect, but the disease I I know it's really weird. >> I got to literally make note. Question for you, not even sending it down. >> She He just literally said all that. He just said all that. >> The back of it is not even completely closed in. There's a 4-in gap top, middle, bottom. He could actually get either his head stuck in there or he could get out and get into something like it's not >> He just said all that. >> It's It's very unstable >> Okay. >> when you shake it. Um the the other bed it's got the the springs for the mattress are exposed. So, you can pull on it. You can easily get your finger caught in it. It's got like little sharp edges on it. And it's in the closet in the bathroom. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, so I You already know you're definitely going to have to have me write these up. >> Honestly, I'm I'm I'm going to tell you the truth. >> I am. >> In 19 and a half years, I have never witnessed anything like that. >> I know. >> And when I tell you it took everything in me not to really act out. >> Well, >> but I couldn't even I couldn't I I I felt like I shouldn't have said anything, but at the same time I had to ask for that question. >> I mean, it's >> Like what is he doing? Like this >> I mean, that's just >> Like it's a it's a such a Do you Do you realize the psychological >> I know. It's again, this is the one that's right here and then here now. >> going to have one of those >> Yeah. I mean, a 2-year-old is like I mean, yeah, as I was telling him it's going to be one of those things where for a 2-year-old it's so plain as day because if the 2-year-old tries to stand up, he can't even stand up fully. Um, it could be lifted so he could if muster the strength lift it onto his head himself. >> I feel like they turned it over like that because he can climb out of it. I said that's when you get him a child >> I was saying that's not a next >> You got the parents >> And then the the parents are going to be in over there and I'm not I'm assuming she's going to have >> I'm saying as far as being able to secure this house like what are we doing? >> Oh, we are >> Oh, just >> He is and then you can take him to the jail. Yeah. She Yeah, she said she might take kids to DCF. Truthfully, that's what she should do. Um, I've heard DCF is trying to get her altogether. >> Which is >> So, I know that they're fighting really hard not to right now. That's why I'm trying my best to make grandparents seem as unviable as possible because they really should not go home. If grandparents are better than any contact with them at all. All right. >> That makes sense. >> Yeah. So, let me go try to get I get their cell phone, keys, and and we'll go from there. >> Sounds good. >> With both parents headed to jail, an officer immediately reached out to a neighbor over the phone to see if they could temporarily care for the two young boys. The neighbor, who initially struggled to grasp the severity of the situation due to a language barrier, stated she was not too far from home. Ultimately, DCFS determined that the neighbor was not a viable option for the night, opting instead to immediately place the children in a protective shelter. >> Um I know you said that there is no other Like there's no other family members here? No Not not gang, I'm just saying in Florida at all. Do you know your sister's phone number? I don't have my cell phone on me. Okay. All right, I can probably get it from your dad. All right. All right, Mrs. Huff? Mrs. Huff? So, the time is 9:02 p.m. And at this time Uh so, right now we are trying to Do you know the neighbor's name and phone number? Right over where? Do you know the address? Right, right. Do you know the uh the house number? Um >> I mean, as long as I'm here but her her hands are probably behind her back, so she's not going to I mean, if she unlocks it. Ma'am, how how can you use your How can you use your cell phone to provide us with the address for the house? >> Or phone number for the neighbor. >> I mean, at least we can try to get it, so. >> I'm sorry? >> All right. Just but you're not getting out, so just sit there. All right, so what is >> This black one. >> Yeah. So, what is your Uh I'm going to uh okay, so I'm going to need your I don't She's the one that lives up the street? >> Yeah, yeah, over there. >> Okay. >> You said her name [music] is Ching Ching? Ching? >> Okay. Looks like she's not answering. Um >> tried calling again, but So, court will be tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. We're going to let classifications know, so that way you can appear by then. >> Okay, so she's messaging, so I don't know what that what what is happening. >> "Wait a minute." >> Okay. Okay. >> So, the grandparents are not going to be able to take >> Not not tonight, right? >> Um well, we have some concerns for them, so they're not going to be able to um watch them right now until we kind of figure out some things. Okay? Um where's where's the car seat and stuff like that? >> It's in the car. Both of our cars have two car seats. >> Okay. >> Both of them are in the car. Now, we have two sets of car seats. >> Okay. >> in both car seats. >> Is Where's the key to your car? >> It's in my Uh it's I I have the key on the wall or in my purse. >> Okay. And where's all the kids' clothes at? The clothes? >> Uh Max's clothes is in the uh in in the on the diaper diaper change table. And Felix's clothes are just washed on the coffee. I mean both clothes are on the coffee. >> Yeah, it looks like it looks like they did laundry. So, it looks like most of the laundry is is in the living room. >> Do you have like a suitcase or something? Suitcase? >> Hey, yes I seen a bag. >> And it Where is it? Where is it? >> She said in the garage. She said in the garage. >> Big one in the front and the smaller one. And probably this. You you just go go back and type No, press the green green Yeah. So, are they going to look after my kids for few nights or just one? >> Wait. >> Wait, talk to him. >> Wait, talk to him. >> Excuse me, ma'am. >> Hey. >> Ma'am, this is Corporal Gonzalez with the Gainesville Police Department. I'm I'm calling on behalf um on behalf of Mrs. Hobbs. So, there's a situation going on right now where we would need to see if you >> wrong? What's wrong? Can you give the phone to Jessica Hobbs? >> Uh no, ma'am because I need I need to be able to speak with you and understand what's being said. >> can you give me the phone? >> No, ma'am. Not right now. But, she's here. She can hear you. Ma'am, I need you to listen to me. Are you home right now? >> Because I I can not do that. >> Yes, please please listen to him. Please. >> I'm outside. >> Ma'am, are you home? Tell her that she needs to be able to speak with me. >> at home. >> Okay, she's not at home. All right. Ma'am, are you Are you in the city? Are you in the Gainesville city? >> Yes. >> All right. Will Would be home anytime soon? >> Maybe so my my phone will no no charge. Can I talk to the girl who have the phone? >> Okay. You're going to have to talk to her in English. >> So So I'm going to jail so because my my I need you to take care of my Can you please and then I need your help. >> Oh no ma'am ma'am. >> Uh that I I can't I can't only I can only talk in English so they are going to take me away with from and uh I can Can I ask you to help me look after my >> No problem. What's wrong? >> Um >> All right, so just if she can. Ma'am, if you can help um if you can help Miss Huff with the I do have a an investigator from the Department of and a family that needs to ask a couple of questions before you're allowed to take the >> Um But I I maybe I still need to help or help or I will go back I need to know what's wrong with with this lady. Hello? >> Hello ma'am, just give me get Yes, ma'am, just give me 1 minute. So you're you're trying to understand what's going on? >> No. Hello, yes. >> All right, ma'am. Um like I said, before you can help Miss Huff take care of her the Department of and Family has a couple of questions they need to ask you before we >> to take care take care of Oh it's a nice our for a very long time. We are in the guy. >> He is also being taken to jail. >> Can I ask what's wrong? >> So, I'm going to let the Department of Children and Family answer that. Um I don't know if they want me to go into specifics. It's just we had a we had uh concerning allegations that we had to come investigate and unfortunately this is the outcome of that investigation. >> So, is that okay if I can go back home and we can talk about this? >> Yes, if you if you if you can come home right now, we're out here at the Huff's residence. We can talk to you and Department of Family can talk to you and we can see if you are good to take the I believe it might just be for the night, but I'm not I can't answer that. That's for the Department of Children and Family to answer. Um how long how long before you're home? >> 20 20 30 minutes 20 to 30 minutes. >> Okay, I'll let them know, okay? All right. Bye-bye. All right. I'll let >> Should I call the other neighbor, too? Cuz I don't know if they have enough room. >> Um let me ask her and then we'll go we'll come back, okay? Yeah. >> I think the 6-year-old was telling me he's sick. >> Unfortunately Tell them that. >> Do you just say that? >> Unfortunately, your friend is not going to be an option. DCF has made the decision that there she's going to take the kids to the shelter. Um >> I don't I don't know if my neighbor is home. >> Now, like I said, um I let them know what she said while we were out here on the phone, but right now DCF is taking custody of them and she made the decision that they're going to go to the shelter. There's nothing I can do about that. You might be able when you get to the jail, they'll let you get some phone numbers out of your phone. They might let you call your neighbor and you can explain the situation better. This neighbors are those neighbors and maybe they can get in touch with DCF and then she can do Well, not tonight. Eventually you will be able to just not right now. Okay? Well, not right now because I personally don't want them to see you guys in handcuffs because I don't think that's good for them. So, right now we're all going to go, but when you get to the jail you'll be able to get phone numbers out of your phone if you need to, okay? Okay? All right. All right, both hands. >> Yeah, see you. >> Yeah, yeah. >> Do you want me to email you the report number? >> Yeah, we'll we'll just send we'll email you the narrative when we're done. Okay. We'll take care of everything. Thank you. Hey. All right, so we got these. We'll just leave their keys back in there and lock everything. >> All right, come on buddy. >> I already explained to mom numbers out of the phone for her neighbors. All right, so I guess they want the rest of their lives. All right, get in your booster seat. >> Any money? We're just going to take a trip. >> Get get in your booster seat. >> We probably got to take >> Huh? >> But where are we going? >> Um Well, we're just going to take a little road trip real quick. >> Well, um where are we going to take a nap at? >> All right, there you go. >> We need to take a nap while we can. >> You need a nap? Yeah, you'll get a nap when you get there. >> Oh. >> All right, Felix. >> place? >> Yeah, it was nice meeting you. >> a weird window. >> Yeah, it's a weird window, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. All right, well we'll see you Felix. You take care, okay buddy? Bye. Thank you for my coloring line. >> But uh you you when we get there, I have a color. >> Yeah? >> I brought a I brought in a book. >> All right, boss man. You take care, okay? >> Bye. >> Bye. >> Where are you going? >> Well, I have to go back to work. >> Why? >> Because I work. >> So, why did you come? Do you know where your whipping is? You need to keep your whipping. >> Right here. I'm always going to keep it cuz I have it here in my notepad. See? Got it right there. >> You keep it there? >> Yeah, I'm going to keep it there so I am always going to remember you. >> So, next time you call in your spot. >> That's right. >> Bye-bye. Bye-bye. See you later. See you next time. >> Bye. See you next time. Hopefully not till next time. All right, thank you. All right, Harmon? >> In the end, the two young boys were safely escorted out of the house and strapped into their booster seats by the responding officers. Blissfully unaware of the full reality of their parents' arrest, Amica Lee waved goodbye and chatted with the officers as they headed off for a fresh start. Meanwhile, the highly educated parents were booked into jail to face serious felony charges, ending a prolonged nightmare that had been quietly hidden away behind closed doors.