Investigators say an 11-year-old boy was found severely malnourished and at times confined in a kennel.
MOAB, Utah — Three adults were arrested in Moab after a month-long investigation into the treatment of an 11-year-old boy, who police say was severely malnourished and subjected to ongoing abuse. Arrest warrants were signed earlier this week, and officers took the suspects into custody without incident.
Authorities said the case matters now because it uses Utah’s relatively new child torture statute, a first-degree felony, to address what investigators describe as prolonged and extreme harm. The boy was removed from a residence in October, according to police, and the findings drew in detectives, state child welfare workers and medical teams. Prosecutors filed charges in 7th District Court while the boy remains in state care. The three suspects were booked into the Grand County Jail and, according to preliminary court information, are being held without bail as the case moves forward.
Police identified the defendants as Jennifer Perkins, 48; Jeremiah James Perkins, 39; and Jonathan William Jarman, 28. Investigators said Jeremiah Perkins is the child’s father and that he and Jennifer Perkins became guardians in March. Jarman is Jennifer Perkins’ adult son. Detectives began their inquiry in the fall after the child’s rapid weight loss drew attention from adults outside the home. Charging documents state the boy described being locked in a dog kennel as punishment. “The medical evidence showed significant malnourishment consistent with prolonged deprivation,” Moab Police said in a summary of the case.
According to court filings, investigators and medical professionals documented injuries and conditions they say point to sustained abuse over months, not days. The three adults share a trailer in Moab where, police allege, the boy’s food was limited and his movements controlled. The child was removed from the home in October and taken for treatment; officials said his condition has stabilized. Detectives collected photos, medical reports and statements. Police said the defendants claimed they were homeschooling the boy during this period. It remains unknown exactly when the alleged confinement began, and officers said they are still piecing together a full day-by-day timeline from interviews and digital records.
Public records show the case was prepared for 7th District Court, which serves Grand County. The child torture count carries a potential sentence that can exceed penalties for aggravated abuse when prosecutors show intentional or knowing infliction of extreme pain or psychological injury. The new charge appears in Utah Code § 76-5-109.4. The Moab investigation involved the Department of Child and Family Services, and the agency said it is coordinating ongoing care for the child. No additional victims have been identified, and police said there is no broader public safety threat connected to the residence.
The arrests came after a judge signed warrants on Monday. Officers moved in Tuesday morning and arrested all three at the home. Jail records list each suspect on a first-degree felony child torture count. Arraignments are expected once prosecutors complete formal screenings and the court sets initial appearances. Defense attorneys had not been listed as of Wednesday afternoon. Prosecutors said more charges are possible if additional evidence surfaces, but none had been added by press time. A probable cause statement includes references to statements from neighbors and relatives, though the document does not list every witness by name.
Neighbors described a quiet trailer with shades drawn and little foot traffic. “We hardly saw the boy outside after summer,” said one resident who lives across the street. A health worker who reviewed the file said the child’s weight loss was “drastic” and inconsistent with any diagnosed illness. Parents at a nearby park expressed shock as word spread of the arrests. “It’s heartbreaking,” said Maria Alvarez, who has two children in local schools. “We just want him to be safe.” Police said tips from the community supported the timeline that ultimately led to the warrants.
As of Thursday, the boy remained in protective custody, and the three defendants were held in the Grand County Jail pending their first court appearances early next week. Officials said additional search warrants are being processed to retrieve electronic messages and medical histories that could clarify the start date and frequency of the alleged confinement.
Author note: Last updated January 1, 2026.