Tragic Discovery: Woman Who Kept Child in Cage Found Dead

A woman who kept a two-year-old child locked in a cage and attempted to sell the child for a large sum of money was found dead.

The woman, Claire Boyle, was discovered deceased in her home on Main Street in Ochiltree, East Ayrshire. The police were called to the scene on Thursday, April 4, according to the Daily Mail.

A spokesperson from Police Scotland stated, “Police responded to a property in the Main Street area of Ochiltree following the sudden death of a woman at around 7 AM on Thursday, April 4, 2024.”

The authorities do not suspect foul play, and a report was sent to the Procurator Fiscal, as reported by The Mirror.

Boyle, believed to be in her late 30s, had prior convictions for neglecting children. In 2021, she was reported to have neglected a four-year-old child so severely that doctors feared he had a serious medical condition.

The child’s mistreatment was discovered when he escaped from Boyle’s house through a window, wearing only pajamas, and was found wandering the streets. Upon investigation of Boyle’s residence, authorities were shocked to find a two-year-old child confined in a makeshift cage.

The structure had been altered so that they could not easily get out once a child was inside. Boyle and her partner, Timothy Johnstone, were convicted of child neglect but avoided jail time. Boyle was ordered to perform 250 hours of community service and was allowed to care for her children.

Boyle had a history of legal issues, including previous incidents where she was found unconscious with a distressed baby and attempted to sell a baby for a large sum of money. She had upcoming court cases scheduled for later this year.

Overall, the case highlights serious concerns about child welfare and neglect.