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Β Charlotte, NC — Thursday was the first Thanksgiving for four children since police say their mother left them locked in a room to starve.
Thanksgiving was a good day for the Bell children. Three months ago, they were starving. The youngest was unrecognizable.
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“It’s sad. I’ve just been praying. I’ve been praying for them,” said Josh Bell. “I don’t know what to say, I’m just glad they’re here.I’m glad they’re safe.”
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Last Thanksgiving, Bell’s kids say they didn’t have a meal.
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“We only had thanksgiving the first time we were here,” said Aniya.Β
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That was four years ago in Florida. Police say the 11-year-old and her three little brothers spent most their time locked in a room in a Charlotte home.
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Investigators say their mother, Ronika Bell, and cousin, Deron Cuthbertson, Jr., ate in front of the kids.Β
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The kids say they had to resort to eating raw food or crumbs off the floor.
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“They did not have to go through this,” said Josh Bell.Β
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Their mother did reach out from jail, he says, but she offered no apology.
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“The only thing I got was a collect call saying, ‘Karma is a B.’,” said Josh Bell.Β
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He says his estranged wife kept kept the abuse hidden until she dropped the children off at his Florida home on Sept. 6.
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“Everybody had malnutrition,” said Josh Bell.Β
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The youngest was near death. He had another surgery last week and could face more.Β
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“Everything on him was hurting, basically almost failing,” said Josh Bell.
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He says the other three couldn’t hold down solid food for weeks.
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“I think about, I had a good time last Thanksgiving, and to think that they didn’t even get to eat,” said Josh Bell.Β
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Thursday, the children told WCCB Charlotte they felt well. Β They said they were ready to eat Thanksgiving dinner.Β
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The youngest ones stayed close to their father, kissing him when he cried.Β
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By the end of the phone call, they wanted to send a message. They lined up and said “Happy Thanksgiving!” in unison.
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Their mother is still in jail with a $300,000 bond. Cuthbertson bonded out of jail nearly two weeks ago.
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