A Knoxville couple face kidnapping charges after an 11-year-old boy living in a plastic-wrapped room told authorities that he hadn’t been outside for months. According to a Marion County sheriff’s report, Rocky Wooldridge, 49, and Jennifer Wooldridge, 43, were each charged with first-degree kidnapping, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison if convicted. KCCI first reported in March that Rocky Wooldridge, a convicted felon, was charged with child endangerment after officials with the Iowa Department of Human Services said they witnessed evidence of child abuse of the couple’s grandson. RELATED: Knoxville man suspected of child abuse after Iowa DHS call According to online court records, authorities found injuries consistent with child abuse, including signs of “thermal injury to both feet and deep bruising on the arm.” They also noticed the child had trouble walking and was visibly shaking.Officials said the boy’s room was covered in plastic sheeting, with one blanket, one pillow, Pull-Ups and wet underwear. It wasn’t immediately clear how many children live in the home.In a criminal complaint, the boy told officers that he “hadn’t been outside since summer” and that he got the injuries from sticks. He said the thermal injuries were from a shower but later said he spent 20 minutes outside with his dogs in his socked feet.Police said children are “often coached on what to say when questioned by law enforcement,” according to the criminal complaint.He also faces charges for possessing a gun. Authorities found loaded firearms in reach of children in the home.The couple have since bonded out of the Marion County Jail, according to online records.

A Knoxville couple face kidnapping charges after an 11-year-old boy living in a plastic-wrapped room told authorities that he hadn’t been outside for months.


According to a Marion County sheriff’s report, Rocky Wooldridge, 49, and Jennifer Wooldridge, 43, were each charged with first-degree kidnapping, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison if convicted.

KCCI first reported in March that Rocky Wooldridge, a convicted felon, was charged with child endangerment after officials with the Iowa Department of Human Services said they witnessed evidence of child abuse of the couple’s grandson.

RELATED: Knoxville man suspected of child abuse after Iowa DHS call

According to online court records, authorities found injuries consistent with child abuse, including signs of “thermal injury to both feet and deep bruising on the arm.” They also noticed the child had trouble walking and was visibly shaking.

Officials said the boy’s room was covered in plastic sheeting, with one blanket, one pillow, Pull-Ups and wet underwear. It wasn’t immediately clear how many children live in the home.

In a criminal complaint, the boy told officers that he “hadn’t been outside since summer” and that he got the injuries from sticks. He said the thermal injuries were from a shower but later said he spent 20 minutes outside with his dogs in his socked feet.

Police said children are “often coached on what to say when questioned by law enforcement,” according to the criminal complaint.

He also faces charges for possessing a gun. Authorities found loaded firearms in reach of children in the home.

The couple have since bonded out of the Marion County Jail, according to online records.