Man kept son imprisoned in wooden box for eight weeks

Authorities in Bolivia, say 21-year-old Johan Knelsen's father David Knelsen - a Canadian - had locked his son in the box as a form of punishment. The father told authorities that his son was mentally ill and had stolen 3 chickens. Other local media reported that the young man was being punished for using a phone.



From the eastern city of Santa Cruz, the family is part of a certain Mennonite denomination which strictly interprets the Bible and shuns the use of technology. Speaking from with inside the wooden cage - which measured three by two metres (9.8 by 6.5 feet) - Johan showed police bottles he used to collect his urine. He told them he hadn't been allowed to get out for eight weeks.

"I went out and when I came back I they were angry with me here at home and some people tied me up and [he] put me in here. Eight weeks ago," Johan Knelsen said. "I ate and slept here. I did everything here. I ate and drank water and washed here." The prosecution lawyer handling the case said that locking someone up in such a fashion was against the law.


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"It is not permitted that a boy is physically and psychologically tortured inside a jail. It is in total violation of Bolivian law," prosecution lawyer, Ever Merida, said. Under orders by police, Johan's father opened the box and helped the young man to his feet, leaving once and for all the box crammed with pillows and urine-filled bottles.