Missing Boy 'Starved To Death By Parents'

Police in Texas are searching for the body of a missing 11-year-old boy who was allegedly locked in his bedroom by his parents and starved to death.

Jonathan Ramsey from Dallas was reportedly fed on a diet of just bread and water, and occasionally milk, as a punishment for his bad behaviour.

His parents Aaron and Elizabeth Ramsey were arrested after his grandfather raised the alarm.

He called police to express his concern after not seeing the youngster for almost a year.

After questioning, the couple were charged with injuring a child and put on bail of $500,000.

Aaron Ramsey, 34, said he locked up Jonathan after he punched his wife in the stomach, causing her to have a miscarriage.

The youngster is said to have lost 30lbs between March and August last year and weighed around 60lbs (4st 4lbs) at the time of his death.

Aaron Ramsey admitted finding his son lying "unresponsive" on the floor of his bedroom but denies causing his death.

He said he placed his body in a sleeping bag and dumped it in the storm shelter of an empty house nearby. He later buried it in a wooded area.

Despite an exhaustive search, officers have been unable to find Jonathan's remains.

Elizabeth Ramsey, 31, told police she was unable to explain Jonathan's weight loss.

She said he was naturally very thin and reminded her of "one of those kids you see on commercials from Africa".

Police said they had informed Jonathan's birth mother, who lives in New Mexico, he was missing.

She told them she had also had difficulty getting straight answers from his father as to his whereabouts.