JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Authorities in Jefferson County say two women are facing child abuse-related charges following a months-long investigation into allegations that a Brookville area cyber student was being mistreated and starved.
Police say now 51-year-old Amy Billotte and 37-year-old Sarah Faber are accused of severely malnourishing the child, resulting in the victim losing 20 pounds over the span of a few months.
Investigators say they were contacted in early September after the teenage victim returned to public school for the first time since May of 2024.
Police say school officials were immediately concerned for the child’s safety and wellbeing after reporting that he was malnourished, dehydrated and had lost a significant amount of weight.
Upon further investigation, police learned that the victim had been attending cyber school, at the request of Billotte.
During an initial interview with police, authorities say the victim disclosed allegations of abuse — including not being allowed to leave his bedroom and allegedly being monitored by cameras inside his Barnett Street home.
When questioned, police say both women were aware of the teen boy’s weight loss but stated that it “was not a concern.”
Investigators say they also admitted to installing a door alarm in his bedroom to reportedly keep him inside.
Police say the victim later disclosed more “disturbing and gruesome” allegations of abuse, claiming that he was forced to stand or exercise — for several hours — to the point of exhaustion.
Police also learned that the victim was repeatedly locked in the basement of the home and often duct taped to the floor of his bedroom — as an alleged form of punishment.
According to the victim, police say both Billotte and Faber — on more than one occasion — are accused of withholding food from him.
Police say he also stated that he was not provided a mattress or clothes to sleep at night.
As the investigation continued, authorities also learned of incidents of physical harm against the victim — including being attacked with a kitchen knife and allegedly assaulted with an Easter decoration.
Investigators say the victim reportedly had multiple scars on his body, from the alleged attacks, as well as from allegations of being pushed and kicked on the floor.
Police say the boy also disclosed an incident in which the women reportedly threatened to “squirt cat insulin into his eyes.”
Lastly, police say the boy accused the two women of repeatedly attacking him psychologically by reportedly using clowns as scare tactics.
“It’s going to be a long road to recovery for this individual. It’s a very sad, tragic, heartbreaking case. The officers that worked on it, it took a little toll on them also because of how horrific it was,” said Brookville Police Chief Vincent Markle.
Authorities say the child has since been removed from the home and was treated at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh.
According to investigators, police note that the child has also since returned to public school and is beginning to regain his health.
Police add that when they questioned the women about the more extreme allegations, they reportedly denied starving the child, claiming that he was put on a “strict diet plan.”
According to online court records, both women are facing hundreds of charges — headlined by child endangerment, false imprisonment, unlawful restraint and involuntary servitude.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (1)
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the names and accurate ages of those accused.
