Re: What a sick disgrace.......12 years is hardly enough.
BY JENNIFER K. WOLDT
of The Northwestern (Oshkosh)
A day after discovering their first-born grandchild had been locked in a small bedroom for 22 hours a day for nearly two years, Joe Zimmer and his wife vowed to do whatever they could to make sure their 13-year-old granddaughter does not suffer again.
Weve gone through all the emotions, Joe Zimmer, the girls maternal grandfather, said Wednesday. But were going to try to focus all of our attention on (her) and on making sure that shes fine and safe and that our relationship gets back to where its supposed to be and that nobody hurts her ever again.
The girls father, Clint M. Engstrom, 32, and her stepmother, Lynn M. Engstrom, 35, were charged Tuesday in Winnebago County Circuit Court with causing mental harm to a child, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, the 13-year-old girl was locked in a small bedroom for 22 hours a day for nearly two years. The bedroom was secured with a dead bolt accessible only from the outside and an alarm system that went off if the door was opened. There was a camera in the room that recorded what the girl was doing at all hours. The only furnishings in the room were a urine-soaked mattress, a blanket, a pillow and an empty dresser. The girl told detectives she was only allowed to leave the room to eat meals, go on timed bathroom breaks and do chores.
The details surrounding the girls whereabouts since February 2005 are unclear. Although Lynn Engstrom told detectives that the girl only left her room to eat meals and do chores, Oshkosh school officials said she continued to be enrolled in classes during much of that period.
School officials with the Oshkosh Area School District and Grace Lutheran School on Wednesday told The Northwestern the girl was enrolled in school during that time, with the exception of a four-month period last year. However, they were unable to discuss how frequently she attended classes, citing student confidentiality rules.
John Sprangers, human resource director with the Oshkosh schools, said the girl attended Smith Elementary School through third grade. On Aug. 30, 2002, her parents indicated she was transferring to Grace Lutheran, Sprangers said.
Richard Slattery, the principal at Grace Lutheran, confirmed the girl was enrolled at the school until June 2006 and was attending classes. However, he said the girl did not return for the 2006-07 school year. Sprangers said the girls parents re-enrolled her in Oshkosh public schools Dec. 11 and she remained enrolled as of Wednesday.
Sprangers and Slattery were unable to release information surrounding the girls attendance because of state and federal laws governing student records.
The girls ordeal only came to light after her parents took her to St. Elizabeths Hospital in Appleton Jan. 12 after the girl reported hearing voices in her head. Hospital staff contacted the Oshkosh Police Department after examining the girl.
Zimmer said the girls mother, his daughter, surrendered her parental rights a few years ago, but he and his wife Karen had enjoyed a good relationship with their granddaughter, seeing her often. He said gradually the Engstroms began limiting the time they were able to spend with her, saying the girl was misbehaving or Zimmer was spoiling her.
Zimmer said all contact with the Engstroms ceased about two years ago, around the time police allege the girls days in captivity began.
We didnt know what was happening with her and they werent telling us anything at all, Zimmer said. Obviously we found out (Tuesday) what was happening with her.
The Engstroms are each being held in the Winnebago County Jail in lieu of a $25,000 cash bond. They are due in court Jan. 25 for a preliminary hearing.
