A Uintah County couple is being held in the Uintah County Jail on counts of Felony Aggravated Child Abuse. According to each Affidavit of Probable Cause, their adopted 9-year-old child was interviewed at the Children’s Justice Center on October 6th and the victim stated that his mom, 40-year-old Aimee Weber, and his dad, 39-year-old James Arlan Weber, would tie the boy to his bed so that he does not get into food. The Officer observed that the boy appeared very small and emaciated for his age with bruising and marks consistent with his claims. Because the child appeared to be in danger he was placed in the custody of DCFS and taken to Primary Children’s Hospital where he was admitted and treated due to what was determined to be a “severe life threatening physical state.” The evaluation done by a Doctor determined that the boy had suffered prolonged psychological and emotional abuse alongside his nutritional neglect. At the time of the exam, the 9-year-old victim weighed 37 pounds. A witness interviewed on October 18th told investigators that the victim had moved into the home in 2018 and by 2019 things began to change and the victim was viewed as someone being babysat rather than as a member of the household and that the family appeared to resent him. The victim eventually began to be disciplined through the withholding of food. It started just once a month and increased over time. During a visit to the home, the father initially denied tying up the victim but others in the home showed the Officer the rope used in order to prevent the victim from getting into food and for what was claimed to be for the victim’s safety. It was also described that the victim sleeps on a bare mattress and that cameras had been placed in the home for the purpose of catching the victim stealing food. James Arlan Weber and Aimee Weber were arrested on October 19th and booked into Uintah County Jail, Aimee Weber on 2 counts and James Weber on 4 counts of Felony Aggravated Child Abuse. They are currently being held without bail. Their Initial Appearance in 8th District Court is scheduled for today.
