Washington County Attorney’s Office
Much of that evidence was recovered from a room that authorities referred to in court documents as a “panic room.”
Jodi Hildebrandt’s so-called “panic room” contained a drawer with rope and handcuffs, which were bagged into evidence in the child abuse case.Washington County Attorney’s Office
At the third door, a man answered and called out to the boy.
The man, who would later describe the boy as “emaciated,” directed him to a seat on his front porch. The mancalled 911, and his wife gave RF a bottle of water and a banana.
RF rings the doorbell, Aug. 30, asking a neighbor for help.Washington County Attorney’s Office
When RF tried to escape that July, his mother said she bound his hands and feet with two sets of handcuffs, per the plea agreement.
Police bagged into evidence handcuffs tied to rope, recovered from Jodi Hildebrandt’s “panic room.".Washington County Attorney’s Office
After escaping, RF sent police back inside the house in search of his younger sister, who he said he had not seen for a month.
Searching Hildebrandt’s home later that day, found the 9-year-old – emaciated with a shaved head – slumped cross-legged in a closet.
Police found 9-year-old EF in a closet at the family therapist’s home.Washington County Attorney’s Office
Four hours later, officers coaxed the little girl out of the closet afterordering pizzafor her.
Cayenne pepper paste and rope were recovered from Jodi Hildebrandt’s home, which was searched shortly after RF spoke to police Aug. 30, 2023.Washington County Attorney’s Office
Officers recovered the skin-burning paste with a spoon dipped inside the open container with a coil of rope beside it. Surgical sponges and elastic bandages were also located on the scene, supporting the child’s story.
Police also came upon a so-called “panic room.” Officers entered the cramped room, guns drawn, per the video footage.
The entrance to Jodi Hildebrandt’s cramped room that authorities called a “panic room”.Washington County Attorney’s Office
Inside was a small room with a Murphy bed, toilet, microwave and empty fridge and freezer set.
Opening a bottom drawer inside the cramped space, police recovered a long strand of rope with knots, per the video footage. Tied to one end were thick metal chains linked to a set of handcuffs.
In a drawer in the “panic room,” officers recovered rope tied to a set of handcuffs.Washington County Attorney’s Office
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
