Virginia Couple Arrested for Chaining Boys Inside Apartment

September 4, 2024

VIRGINIA: A Virginia couple, Wedni Del Cid Rodriguez, 47, and Franklin Viera Guevara, 29, have been arrested and charged with child neglect, cruelty, and abduction after police found two young boys chained by their ankles in their Fairfax County home.

According to court documents, police responded to a call about possible child neglect and heard a chain rattling inside the apartment when they knocked on the door. When the door was opened, they found the two boys, aged 7 and 9, chained up by a sleeping cot.

One of the boys had used a roommate's cell phone to take a picture of his ankle with the chain attached and sent it to his sister, who called 911. Rodriguez, the boys' mother, and Guevara told police they had chained the boys for short periods to "scare them" and prevent them from leaving the apartment. However, the roommate reported that the children were often left unsupervised and restrained.

Police observed marks on the boys' ankles consistent with the chains. Rodriguez has since bonded out, while Guevara remains behind bars. Rodriguez's next court appearance is set for October 2, and Guevara has a bond hearing scheduled for Wednesday. The current whereabouts of the boys are unclear.