Custodial dad, step charged with locking 12-year-old boy in room for three months (New Castle, Delaware)

What happened to this boy's mother? Is she dead? Alive, but stripped of custody? What? 

Obviously dad ROBERT HOLM had full custody of his son to imprison him for three months. But there is no explanation as to how he got full access/possession of this poor boy. Typical.

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/20219987/del-father-stepmother-accused-of-locking-child-in-room

Dad, Stepmom Locked Boy In Room For 3 Months, Police Say

 Posted: Nov 29, 2012 2:30 PM CST Updated: Nov 29, 2012 9:30 PM CST

NEW CASTLE COUNTY, Del. - A father and a stepmother in Delaware face child abuse charges after police say they locked their 12-year-old in a room for three months and physically abused him. 

According to New Castle County police, the boy escaped Tuesday night from his home on the 100 block of Brookside Boulevard and went to a neighbor for help.

Police say the neighbor called officers after noticing the boy wasn't wearing any shoes, had bruises on his face and appeared to be malnourished.

During their investigation, police say they learned the child had been kept in a locked room since September and was only allowed out to use the bathroom.

Police say the windows to the boy's room were screwed shut, the door handle was installed backwards and the only furniture available to the boy was a lamp without a lampshade.

According to police, the child was 20 pounds below the average weight for his age.

Police say three other children were living in the home. FOX 29's Chris O'Connell reports the three kids are now staying with family members.

By Wednesday, police say they went to the suspects home, Robert Hohn, 41, and his wife Shannon Watterson, 39, and took them into custody.

The boy is currently being treated at A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children.