Family doctor, wife accused of locking special needs son in closet for hours a day

MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLUC/Gray News) - A 10-year-old boy with special needs was allegedly locked inside a closet for several hours a day over several months.

Child protective services reported the suspected abuse to the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office.

Dr. Colin Irish and his wife Carrie Irish, the boy’s parents, were arrested after deputies were called to the home.

According to the sheriff’s office, the parents forced their child to sleep wearing only underwear and refused to provide a mattress, blanket or pillow.

Authorities said the two only allowed their son to sleep on the closet floor where there were no heating vents or windows, and the closet walls were modified with plastic sheet panels. The closet had linoleum floors and a lock on the door’s exterior to prevent the child from exiting.

Investigators said the child was forced to clean his own feces and urine inside the closet, creating a strong odor of cleaning solution.

Three kids were living in the home at the time.

All three minor children were removed from the home and placed into temporary foster care, authorities said.

The 10-year-old was treated at an area hospital for potential frostbite and placed into foster care.

Colin Irish’s primary office is Irish Family Practice on Third Street in Marquette.

The couple’s defense attorney had no comment about the case along with the Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office.

Marquette’s Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center helped in the investigation.

NLCAC Executive Director Sarah Zyburt said the group commends the educators who reported the suspected abuse and the first responders for their assistance.

Dr. Irish was also the medical director and attending physician for the Iron County Medical Care Facility.

The facility said on social media that Colin Irish was immediately suspended.

The couple have pleaded not guilty and have posted bail. Their next court date is scheduled for Feb. 27.

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