A Lakeland woman was charged with locking a 4-year-old boy in a roach-infested kitchen cabinet, deputies said.
Lori Hamilton, 42, was arrested on Thursday and booked into the Polk County Jail on charges of child abuse.
Detectives said they learned Hamilton frequently locked the boy in the cabinet and secured the doors with screws, which prevented the child from getting out.
Witnesses described the home where this occurred as being "dirty" and infested with roaches, deputies said.
Detectives said the boy was left in the cabinet for hours a time, often crying to be let out. They said the boy had soiled himself while locked in the cabinet on at least four occasions. The boy was frequently bitten by roaches and spiders, investigators said.
According to the arrest affidavit, Hamilton locked the boy in the cabinet because "he kept her up at night."
Hamilton denied the accusations, saying she only put the boy in the cabinet on four occasions, for about 20 minutes each time. She also said the boy only soiled himself once.
No bond has been set for Hamilton's release.
Detectives did not say what the relationship is between Hamilton and the boy.