Authorities have arrested a Michigan doctor and his wife after allegations surfaced that they locked their 10-year-old special needs son in a closet for hours each day over several months. Law enforcement officials state that the child was deprived of necessities, often left without heat, a mattress, or sanitary facilities, and forced to clean his feces. The disturbing allegations have raised nationwide concerns about child abuse, which remains a persistent issue across the United States.
Colin Irish, 57, an osteopathic doctor, and his wife, Carrie Irish, 49, were arrested this week and charged with second-degree child abuse. The case came to light after a local school reported suspected abuse to Child Protective Services, prompting an immediate investigation by the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities swiftly removed all three of the couple’s minor children from the home, and the 10-year-old boy was hospitalized for evaluation, including checks for frostbite on his feet, before being placed in foster care.
Investigators report that the boy was forced to sleep on the floor of a locked closet wearing only underwear, without blankets, a pillow, or a mattress. The closet had been modified with an exterior lock to prevent his escape, and further alterations included plastic sheet panels and linoleum flooring. The room lacked heating vents and windows, exposing the child to extreme cold. Law enforcement officials say the boy often had no access to a bathroom, leading him to urinate and defecate inside the closet, after which he was forced to clean it up himself with strong cleaning chemicals.
While officials have not disclosed details of the child’s specific special needs, they confirm that his two siblings, also minors, were not subjected to the same treatment. Authorities arrested Colin and Carrie Irish on Tuesday, and they were arraigned the same day. Both parents were charged with second-degree child abuse and have since posted a portion of their $25,000 cash or surety bonds. A court has ordered them to have no contact with their children while the investigation continues. If convicted, the couple faces up to 10 years in prison under Michigan law.
Attempts to reach the couple for comment were unsuccessful, and their attorney, Daniel Mead, has declined to provide a statement. Law enforcement officials say the case remains open and additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation progresses.
Colin Irish’s medical practice appears to be inactive, with his website no longer functional. Previously, he operated a family medicine practice in Marquette, where he was described as a former Marine Corps serviceman. Photos from his now-defunct website depicted him and his wife smiling with their three young sons, an image starkly at odds with the horrific allegations now against them.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of child abuse, which remains a critical problem nationwide. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, approximately 320,808 parents were identified as perpetrators of child abuse in 2023 alone. The Michigan case follows several other disturbing incidents across the country in recent months.
In a separate Michigan case, authorities in Pontiac arrested 34-year-old Kelli Bryant, who is being held on a $250 million bond after police discovered her three children living alone in deplorable conditions. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office found the children in a home filled with garbage, human feces, and mold. Investigators allege that Bryant abandoned her children years ago, leaving them to survive on their own with minimal outside assistance. The children reported that they spent their time watching television and playing video games and relied on sporadic food deliveries from their mother or an unidentified individual. Bryant has been charged with three counts of first-degree child abuse.
Other states have seen similarly disturbing incidents. In Florida, authorities arrested 43-year-old Nathan Gingles on charges of murder, kidnapping, and child abuse after he allegedly killed three people and kidnapped his 4-year-old daughter, triggering a statewide Amber Alert. Meanwhile, in California, police arrested a father for manslaughter and child abuse after he allegedly became intoxicated and fell asleep on his infant child, leading to the baby’s tragic death.
Law enforcement officials stress the importance of vigilance in preventing child abuse and encourage anyone who suspects abuse to report it immediately to Child Protective Services or local authorities. In Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services operates a 24-hour hotline for reporting abuse cases.
Authorities continue their investigation into the Irish case, with legal proceedings set to determine the couple’s fate in the coming months. As the nation grapples with ongoing reports of parental abuse, advocacy groups urge continued awareness and action to protect vulnerable children from harm.
