US man 'duct-taped daughter, shut her in dog cage'

Washington, Jan 22 (ANI): A man from Ohio has been charged with child endangerment for allegedly tying up his 12-year-old daughter with duct tape, sticking her in a dog cage as punishment, and then threatening to electrify it.

James Tapke, who was arrested on Thursday, was ordered held on 50,000 dollar bond during his arraignment on Friday.

According to Police in Springfield Township, near Cincinnati, they said that Tapke, 41, wrapped duct tape around the girl's hands and feet, then shut her in a large dog cage on Jan 10.

While the girl was in the cage, Tapke allegedly dropped small amounts of water on her face, police revealed.

Police said the girl's 13-year-old brother let her out after about 20 minutes, but Tapke put her back in after she poured water on him.

Tapke then allegedly asked his son to get an electrical jumper pack from the garage.

Police said that Tapke put the pack outside the cage and threatened to electrify it, though he never did.

The girl was eventually let out of the cage by her grandmother, who removed the duct tape from her hands and feet.

Police were alerted after a concerned parent saw photos of the girl in the cage on Facebook and called the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services.

Tapke's attorney, Christopher Jackson, said the incident was a joke that got out of hand.

"I believe this was a joke that got out of control," ABC News quoted Jackson as telling WCPO-TV.

"This is why his son, who is 13, posted the pictures on Facebook, as a joke after this happened. ... Maybe not the best joke in the world, but I believe that will come out in trial," Jackson added. (ANI)