An East Tennessee couple has been arrested after police found a girl with autism locked inside a cage.

Washington County deputies said they found a 10-year-old girl inside a wooden cage at a Jonesborough home on Sunday.

Investigators said only a soiled mattress was inside.

One of the home owners, identified as Patricia Laws, reportedly told police that the little girl was autistic and they were able to better control her by locking her up.

Laws and Mickey Sparks were both charged with aggravated abuse and neglect.

Both made their first court appearance Tuesday. They were expected to be back in court next week.