HUNTINGTON, Ind. (WOWO): A Huntington man is charged with neglect in the death of his girlfriend’s 8-year-old son.
Officers were called to the 1300 block of Dover Street at 7:40 p.m. on Nov. 22 according to 21 Alive. A woman told police that she discovered her son dead in his room with a zip tie around his neck.
Matthew Dirig, 32, was at the home and told police he picked up the boy from the Boys & Girls Club because he was “having a bad day” and then locked him in his room. He also told officers that the boy had mental disorders and recently tried to choke himself.
Police searched the home and found a bag of zip ties in the boy’s room and that the room was locked from the outside. Officers also spoke to the boy’s mother, who told them that the boy had attempted suicide in the past.
She told officers that Dirig was playing video games when she got home and that the boy was in his room, but she found him on the floor and tried CPR before calling 911.
Police say they found a leather jacket of Dirig’s that had scratch marks on it and medical gloves in a pocket. Dirig told officers that the boy threw a tantrum when he was picked up but reportedly became nervous and changed his story when talking with the police for an interview.
A cause of death has not yet been determined.
Dirig is charged with one count of neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
1 comment
When an adult throws a tantrum, equal to that of a child, i fail to see how they “earn” the title ‘Adult’.
This is what i have gathered from these two stories.
I encourage readers to read the 21 Alive events, as well, if you haven’t. This seems to be a horrible story of neglect and manipulation. Matthew shows ZERO remorse in the photo taken. He obviously offered no love to this child.
His suggestion? ..to turn this 8-year-old child’s bedroom into a prison.
AND, the mother stood idly by. Neglect charges should be brought upon BOTH of them. Unless she was also locked in there, occasionally, she too helped bring this tragedy about.
it’s my opinion that BOTH “adults” are guilty, based on the evidence i see presented.
If a child DOES have some sort of special needs, locking them away will accomplish nothing more than exacerbating the situation. This child tried to get out of this room multiple times. Sadly, they found a way.
🙁
Matthew’s nervousness and changes made to his story, during his interrogation… seemingly point toward homicide, which is sad.
May the true cause of death be revealed, but may it NEVER lessen the gravity of the neglectful abuse that was shown to this child.
8 years old…
May Matthew find a prison, in his life, equal to that of the one he created for this child.
May this child know peace.
May this mother feel remorse in her inaction; May she find courage to remove negativity from her life; ..
..and May she bring joy to another child’s life.
..when she DONATES, or MAKES a quick couple bucks, on the removal of any/all the household video game systems (and everything that goes along with them).
Children ARE our children for only a short time, help them to learn, love and grow.
If ANY of us suspect ANYTHING!
Indiana:
https://www.in.gov/dcs/contact-us/child-abuse-and-neglect-hotline/
Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1 800 800-5556. Hotline Hours: 24 Hours.
Ohio:
https://jfs.ohio.gov/ocf/reportchildabuseandneglect.stm
Report Child Abuse and Neglect 855 O-H-CHILD (855-642-4453)