Defendant testifies in Titusville starvation trial; Jury hears audio of victim's police interviews

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — A Brevard County jury spent Thursday listening to what a severely malnourished boy told police shortly after they removed him from a Titusville home in 2012.

Two years ago, Channel 9 reported the horrifying details outlined in criminal charges alleging Sharon Glass and the boy's father, Michael Marshall, caged and starved a then-12-year-old boy for weeks at a time.

The boy told a child protection team member he had an attitude problem, or at least, that's what he believed.

But prosecutors think he was a victim of abuse and neglect by both his father and Glass.

The jury heard audio-taped interviews that recorded what the frail, 40-pound boy had to say shortly after he was removed from the home.

The boy, his sister and father shared the home with Glass and her children, authorities said.

Child protection team member: "How long were you in that closet for?"

Victim: "Two or three months."

Victim: "I threatened to run away (inaudible), so they took my clothes away."

Prosecutors said that was only after the boy was locked in his room, a closet and even the family restroom.

Glass' defense team said it was Marshall who confined the boy, but prosecutors contend Glass told the boy's father to lock him up or she was gone.

Despite being locked away and forced to escape to steal bits of food, the boy still showed concern for his father.

"I love my dad," he said.

Glass took the stand Thursday afternoon.

She testified that Marshall locked the boy up, and that he beat her.

Glass cried as she testified and said she never disciplined the boy and that she wanted out of the relationship with Marshall.

"I was afraid. I would be embarrassed to say that I was getting beat," she said during testimony. "Then if (Marshall) found out, he'd come after me."

Glass is expected to continue her testimony Friday.

Marshall also faces charges. He has a hearing scheduled for later in January.

WFTV