THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 29, 1994 TAG: 9411290351
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
Kenneth Long, who confined his girlfriend's 4-year-old daughter to the bottom of a linen closet last year, was sentenced Monday to seven years in prison with four years suspended.
Long and his girlfriend, Mercedes Russell, were charged in January after child-welfare workers were tipped to conditions in the Bancroft Hall apartments in the 1000 block of Intrepid Court.
Long and Russell used the linen closet, which they called ``The Box,'' to punish Russell's daughter, Melanie.
The closet had been modified into a cell, with a piece of plywood at the front. The cell's ceiling was so low that the girl couldn't stand without stooping.
Both Long and Russell were convicted earlier this year of abduction and felony child neglect. Russell was sentenced to five years on each charge, with the sentences to run concurrently. Half the time was suspended, for a total of 2 1/2 years to serve.
Monday, Long was sentenced to four years for abduction and three years for child neglect with two years suspended on each, leaving a total of three years to serve.
KEYWORDS: CHILD ABUSE CHILD NEGLECT TRIAL
SENTENCING by CNB