Married U. Florida Scientists Charged with Child Abuse After Allegedly Keeping 2 Kids in Cages: Police

Dustin Huff and Yurui Xie face felony child abuse charges

Two married University of Florida scientists are charged with child abuse after authorities say they kept two children in a cage, police say, according to reports.

Dustin Huff, 35, and Yurui Xie, 31, were arrested Friday, after a child told a school official he didn’t want to leave school because he didn’t want to be put in a cage, FOX 35, WCJB and USA Today all report, citing authorities.

WCJB reports that the children are aged 6 and 2. Citing an arrest report, the outlet reported that the 6-year-old told his teacher Huff had built a cage that he was put in while Xie worked.

The outlet also reported that the 6-year-old’s alleged cage was made out of a wooden bed frame, according to the arrest report. The child was allegedly left home alone while locked in the cage, WCJB reported, citing the arrest report.

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Both Huff and Xie are biological scientists at the university, the outlets reported, adding that they have been placed on administrative leave.

The parents were charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse and one count of child neglect.

It is not immediately clear if either Huff or Xie have retained an attorney or entered a plea.

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.

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