Tulsa Man Sentenced To Prison For Locking Toddler In Dog Crate

<p>A Tulsa father is sentenced to 23 years in prison following his conviction this week for child neglect.</p>

Friday, November 21st 2014, 7:37 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa Man Sentenced To Prison For Locking Toddler In Dog Crate

A Tulsa father is sentenced to 23 years in prison following his conviction this week for child neglect.

William Lewallen, 49, was charged in November 2012 after Tulsa Police found a naked 3-year-old boy screaming and crying in the backyard of the Lewallen home. Inside the home, they found a 22-month-old girl locked inside a dog crate. The officers located a third child naked and asleep in a bed next to William Lewallen.

11/12/2012 Related Story: Screaming Tulsa Toddler Found Locked In Dog Crate

Police said Lewallen was passed out when they got there and admitted to taking several prescription drugs and drinking a 16-ounce can of beer.

His wife, Erin Lewallen, 29, pleaded guilty to child neglect in the case in June 2013. A judge gave her a deferred sentence.

5/2/2013 Related Story: Tulsa Mother Pleads Guilty To Child Neglect After Child Found In Dog Crate