BROOKVILLE, Pa. — A disturbing case of prolonged abuse came to light in rural Pennsylvania after a 16-year-old boy arrived at school visibly malnourished, prompting school officials to alert police. What investigators uncovered has led to more than 950 criminal counts against two women who had adopted the teen, marking one of the most extensive child-abuse charging decisions in the region in recent years.
According to prosecutors and court records, 51-year-old Amy Billotte and 37-year-old Sarah Lynn Faber now face hundreds of counts of unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a child, terroristic threats, and simple assault. Both remain in custody on $500,000 bond each, with preliminary hearings set for Dec. 19.
Allegations of Severe Physical and Psychological Abuse
Authorities launched their investigation in early September after school personnel reported the teen appeared malnourished and had lost approximately 20 pounds since they last saw him in May. The teen, who typically attended virtual school, was described as gaunt and fearful, sparking immediate concern.
Police interviewed him in detail, and the allegations he shared painted a picture of escalating control and cruelty. According to the criminal complaint, the boy said he spent long hours confined to a bare bedroom monitored by motion-activated cameras, moved only when permitted, and was punished for the slightest movement.
Investigators said he reported being stripped naked and forced to take cold showers, sometimes as retaliation for minor behaviors. At other times, he was ordered to live in the basement wearing only underwear, where he said he was duct-taped to the concrete floor as a form of discipline.
The complaint further alleges the women inflicted physical injuries, including slicing his genitals and cutting his arm with a blade. “Luckily, I didn’t die from that,” the teen reportedly told detectives.
Authorities noted that the teen’s room contained no books, electronics, or toys—objects he said he once enjoyed when he first entered the home. In statements included in court documents, he reflected on how drastically the environment had changed: “I thought it was going to be fun… they read me bedtime stories every night.”
Food Withholding and Threats Among the Alleged Abuse
One of the primary factors that alarmed investigators was the teen’s physical condition. According to police, he said Billotte and Faber began restricting his access to sugar-based foods because they claimed it made him hyper. Over time, the restriction escalated into broader food deprivation, contributing to the dramatic weight loss observed by school officials.
The abuse also included alleged threats that further terrorized the boy. The complaint states that the women threatened to “squirt cat insulin into his eyes,” among other warnings intended to frighten him into compliance.
Officials said Child Protective Services rapidly removed the teen from the home. Within weeks of receiving regular meals and medical care, he regained the weight he had lost, underscoring concerns about long-term nutritional deprivation.
Extensive Charges Reflect Scope of Alleged Abuse
The scale of the charges—more than 460 counts each of unlawful restraint and 460 counts each of false imprisonment—reflects the daily repetition of alleged acts over an extended period. Prosecutors asserted that each day the teen endured forced confinement amounted to an additional criminal count.
Both women were taken into custody on Tuesday and placed in the Jefferson County Prison. Prosecutors emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and may expand as additional details emerge.
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What Happens Next
Billotte and Faber are expected to appear in court on Dec. 19, where prosecutors will outline the evidence supporting the extensive charge lists. Legal analysts note that if convicted on even a fraction of the counts, the women could face decades of imprisonment.
Authorities have not released information about any additional children in the home or whether the teen is receiving ongoing therapeutic services, citing privacy protections.
Stories like this remind us how essential it is for communities to speak up when a child appears in distress. If you ever witness signs of neglect or abuse, report your concerns immediately. Your voice could save a life.
