Authorities in Farmington, New Mexico, have arrested Jammy Jackson, 59, and Patricia Madrid, 36, on multiple felony charges, including child abuse and conspiracy. The arrests followed an investigation into claims that they locked a child in a chicken coop for prolonged periods, exposing her to harsh weather conditions.

The case surfaced on September 16 after Child Protective Services reported concerns about the child’s well-being. Detectives swiftly intervened, removing the child from the home and gathering supporting evidence.

According to an arrest warrant cited by multiple news outlets, the victim, an autistic teenager with ADHD, endured abuse from November 2023 to September 2024. She allegedly required permission to use the restroom. When she stopped seeking approval, Jackson and Madrid began confining her.

Reports indicate she was held in the chicken coop during extreme heat and cold, receiving only one meal daily—typically noodles, ice cream, or a banana. In desperation, she resorted to stealing vegetables from a nearby garden.

Investigators discovered text messages allegedly exchanged between the suspects. Madrid instructed Jackson not to feed the child until she was “starving” and advised that she be locked up when unsupervised. The teen also reported to a forensic interviewer that Jackson once held a gun to her head, threatening her life.

Despite these allegations, Jammy Jackson and Patricia Madrid denied wrongdoing, claiming the teenager was lying. Madrid asserted that the child chose to stay outside, while Jackson suggested she was receiving counseling for personal care.

The couple was released from the San Juan County Detention Center after their arrest. Their preliminary hearing took place on February 26.

#Clique, what are your thoughts?