Custodial dad accused of holding 10-year-old son prisoner speaks out (Charlotte County, Florida)

We've posted twice on this case before, and so far, there has been barely a word about the mother of this boy--only that authorities couldn't "find" her. Really? How hard did they look? Do we actually know for a fact that she's alive, and not literally "disappeared" in some way? Was she threatened or driven off? Given Dad THOMAS BOONE's apparent torturous treatment of his son, I think that those possibilities should be investigated. See previous posts here:

http://dastardlydads.blogspot.com/2010/06/boy-tortured-by-custodial-dad-step.html
http://dastardlydads.blogspot.com/2010/06/custodial-dad-step-accused-of-holding.html

What's more, how did a prince of a daddy like Boone get custody? Who gave it to him? Where's the accountability for that decision? We still have ZERO information on that.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.

http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=13425117

Father accused of holding son prisoner speaks out
Posted: Nov 01, 2010 4:42 PM CDT
Updated: Nov 01, 2010 6:48 PM CDT

By Meaghan Smith

CHARLOTTE COUNTY: Thomas Boone and his wife are both accused of holding a 10-year-old boy prisoner inside a dark, filthy room where he was surrounded by his own waste and had little to eat or drink. Monday, he spoke out about those allegations.

That 10 year-old boy was held prisoner in a dark room and forced to live in his own feces and urine, according to officials with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.

On Monday, for the first time, Boone talked about the heinous allegations against him.

"It's been rough. That's all I got to say, it's been rough," Boone said.

Back in June, Charlotte County deputies arrested Boone and his wife Kimberly after they discovered what they called a horrible case of abuse and neglect going on inside the Port Charlotte home.

Detectives say the boy lived inside a cage in his bedroom for months with no light and in his own waste. Officials said the boy had nearly starved to death as well.

Thomas, who made an appearance in court Monday, isn't allowed to see or speak to his son - who now lives with his paternal grandmother.

But we asked him is there was anything he would like to say to his child.

"I can't say anything to him or they'll hold me liable for that," Boone responded.

Kimberly Boone, the child's step-mom, wouldn't talk to us. She kept silent and stone-faced as she walked out of the same courtroom.

When we asked Boone how long he kept his son locked in the room he replied, "I'm done. I'm done."

The Boones have pled not guilty.

A trial date hasn't been set and both sides still need to interview witnesses - including that 10 year-old boy.