Second Person Charged With Abuse For Keeping Autistic Man Locked In Basement

Formal charges have been brought against a second person who allegedly kept an autistic man in his basement, gave him food through a hole in the wall and forced him to use a bucket as a toilet.
“Sam” A. Asdigian, 43, of Racine, and Teri Allen, 51, of Racine, were both charged Wednesday with a felony count of intentionally causing an individual at risk to abuse – likely to cause bodily harm. 
Allen's son, 23-year-old James Allen, who has Asperger syndrome, now lives with his grandmother, Lauren Allen, Patch media partners WISN 12 reports. Allen called police to report what she said were abusive living conditions at he grandson's home.
But, the mother Teri Allen told WISN she would lock the son in the basement overnight because his disabilities often made him violent and, "He would sleep down there, but he wasn't a prisoner. He'd come upstairs for his meals and go to the bathroom."
Teri Allen's mother, Lauren Allen called Racine police to say her grandson 23-year-old son James Allen was locked in the basement of the home on Holmes Avenue, and was being "shocked with a dog collar," according to the criminal complaint. That complaint prompted police on June 4 to do a welfare check on the man, who has Asperger syndrome, a form of autism, as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the complaint said.
If convicted, the couple faces up to 1.5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. On Wednesday, the charges against Asdigian had not appeared in the court's computer system. Allen is expected to appear in court on July 17. Asdigian is expected to appear in court on July 24.
A number of people were shocked to hear about the story and talked about it on Facebook:
Tammy Lebich-Beech: there are 2 other adults in the house as well who did this to him. One being his sister that gets paid to be his caregiver. Sorry, but the neighbors also state that the two girls in the house also have said that he was locked up as well as the young man telling people and no one stepped up. Glad the grandma did.
Kathleen Marie Weber-Tiderman: As a parent of a child with autism, I have to say that 99% of what he needs is no different than any other child. Every parent is morally obligated to provide and nurture their children. There is no excuse. Resources are out there. Whether financial, medical, housing, etc., the ultimate responsibility lies with the parent. I wouldn't treat my pet in the way she treated her son. Disability or not, he should be afforded basic human dignity and given a world more. She is no parent. Disgusting.
Jennifer Spanske Dustman: When people go into a group home then the ssi check goes as well. Sad to say but that is why some people don't do a placement because they want or need the money. So sad for that young man.
Cindy Schultz: This is so incredibly sad. Our children/adults with special needs just want to be accepted. IF this young man is locked in the basement, how is that accepting in his own home? This innocent young man needs to be able to share what has went on in that home. Rapid Prompting Method could be the answer. There is a voice for the voiceless, we just have to take the time to listen.