North Carolina Couple Charged With Murder In Death Of Son They Tied To Tree

June 13, 2008 12:52 p.m. EST

Macclesfield, NC (AHN) - A couple has been charged with first degree murder and felony child abuse of their 13-year-old son who died after they punished him for disobedience by tying him to a tree for two nights.

The youngster was tied to a tree Tuesday night for disobedience, authorities reportedly said Friday. The teen was released Wednesday morning, then tied to the tree again Wednesday night.

Temperatures climbed into the 90s on Thursday and when his step-mother checked on him at about 4:30 p.m. she found him lying on the ground unresponsive.

The couple called 911 and the father Brice Brian McMillan, 41, of Macclesfield, began CPR until the ambulance came and paramedics took over. The boy was taken to the Heritage Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Officials say they don't yet know the cause of death and the investigation remains open.

McMillan and his wife Sandra Elizabeth McMillan, 36, are being held at the Edgecombe County Detention Center. The Department of Social Services has taken custody of the couples other two children, ages 7 and 9.

Edgecombe County Sheriff James L. Knight told the News Observer that although the teen was found tied with plastic ties that were similar to handcuffs, that "there were other things on the body that led us to believe" the parents had used other restraints as well.