Custodial dad, step force teen son to sleep outside for a month for "smelling cake frosting" (Chandler, Arizona)

Dad is identified as BRIAN WAYNE ROMINE. The mother is reportedly deceased. How she died, and whether it was from natural causes, is not specified.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/chandler/article_476c4594-7f08-11e4-840b-3fa7dd9854c7.html

Chandler dad admits to forcing his son to sleep in backyard

Posted: Monday, December 8, 2014 11:39 am

By Jon Erickson, ABC15.com

A Chandler father admitted to forcing his teenage son to sleep in the backyard as a form of discipline, according to court records.

The 16-year-old male victim told police he had slept in the backyard for at least a month, and that he had to use the hose for drinking water and use the yard as his restroom at night.

Brian Wayne Romine and Shelly Anderson-Romine “treated their dog better than they treated [their son],” said the teen’s uncle, Tray Romine.

The teen left his North Meadows Street home after at least 30 days of the sleeping situation, and went to Tray’s home.

Tray, who said he was unable to get his brother to talk through the situation, called police.

Authorities charged the Romines (Shelly is the teen’s stepmother) with child abuse.

The teen triggered the backyard discipline by doing things like taking loose pocket change from his parents, and smelling cake frosting, according to the uncle and court records.

The suspects did not answer the door when ABC15 stopped by Saturday night.

The outdoor sleeping was done during June and July, records said; the teen was forced to sleep outside during monsoon rains and thunderstorms, according to Tray.

“It’s going to take my nephew a while… for him to pull out of this,” Tray said.

The teen’s mother died years ago, Tray added.

The teen is now staying with a foster parent, Tray said.