Missouri Mom Accused of Zip-Tying 5-Year-Old and Forcing Him to Do Wall Squats 'Longer Than Anyone in the Military': Prosecutors

A Missouri mother has been arrested and charged with child abuse and kidnapping after allegedly zip-tying her 5-year-old son, severely beating him, and subjecting him to extreme punishments, including prolonged wall squats and starvation.

Authorities were alerted to the abuse on February 17, when a friend of Alease Teariel Chambers, 26, stayed overnight at her home in Florissant, Missouri, Fox 2 Now reported.

The friend reportedly witnessed repeated acts of severe punishment against the young boy and contacted the police. Chambers allegedly targeted her 5-year-old son, punishing him more harshly than her other children.

The friend told investigators they saw the mother forcing the boy to clench his fists while she struck his knuckles with a phone. The child was also reportedly locked in a closet with a dresser blocking the door and forced to do wall squats for excessive periods, "longer than anyone in the military should."

Around 3 a.m., the friend heard the child "screaming, crying, and begging" but was unable to intervene. The following morning, the friend discovered the boy downstairs, zip-tied with his hands behind his back, his pants down, and his body covered in bruises.

The friend recorded the boy's condition and reported the abuse to police.

When authorities arrived, Chambers admitted to using belts, cords, and zip ties to punish her son, allegedly as a consequence for sneaking food. She confessed to leaving him bound for two to three hours at a time. The child was taken to the hospital, where doctors confirmed he was malnourished.

Chambers was taken into custody at the St. Louis County Justice Center and charged with multiple counts of child abuse, first-degree kidnapping, and neglect. She remains in custody, with her next court appearance scheduled for February 26.