A Culver woman was arrested on May 3 on several charges after police were made aware of a complaint of a child locked in a cage.
According to the probable cause affidavit provided by the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office, an officer with the Culver Police Department approached Ecilra J. Shotts’ home on Ohio Street when a 13-year-old boy ran from the residence. Seeing the officer, Shotts then reportedly went inside the home and locked the door. Court documents state that the juvenile told police that Shotts was hurting him and she put him in a dog cage after he bit her finger. He stated that she also allegedly hit him several times.
The officer announced his presence at the front door and another child answered the door. Shotts reportedly invited the officer inside where he noticed broken wine glasses in the kitchen and other household items in disarray which indicated that a physical confrontation occurred, court documents state.
Shotts allegedly told police that the 13-year-old child bit her and hit her. As she spoke, the officer smelled alcohol on her breath, according to court documents. One of the children accused Shotts of calling him names.
The officer conducted a recorded interview with the 13-year-old boy who described acts of abuse to the point where he was locked inside a dog cage. Allegations of sexual groping were also stated in the court documents.
The officer also interviewed Shotts who provided a contrary statement to the child’s account of actions that day. She did not give many more details to the officer.
The Department of Child Services was called to the home and removed the children, as the officer reported in the affidavit of probable cause.
The officer further stated Shotts escaped from his police car and attempted to run away in leg shackles south on Ohio Street. She was captured and then placed back into the car. Shotts refused a portable breath test so she was taken to the hospital to have blood drawn as the reportedly admitted that she was drinking. While there, she argued with the officer about seeing her children and that request was denied. She allegedly attempted to force her way past the officer but she was turned around and handcuffed and later transported to the Marshall County Jail.
Ecilra Shotts, 33, was booked into the Marshall County Jail on felony charges of neglect of a dependent under fourteen years of age, escape, criminal confinement of a person under fourteen years of age, and domestic battery of a person under fourteen years of age. She also faces misdemeanor charges of resisting law enforcement, disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $20,000 cash. She was ordered not to have any contact with her 13-year-old son.
