Insets: Jeremiah Perkins and Jennifer Perkins (KTVX). Background: The 400 block of N. 500 West in Moab, Utah (Google Maps).
A Utah couple could spend more than a decade in prison after authorities said a child of elementary school age suffered drastic weight loss while being repeatedly confined in a dog kennel.
Jeremiah James Perkins, 40, and Jennifer Perkins, 48, were arrested in December on suspicion of child torture. On Tuesday, Jeremiah Perkins pleaded no contest to attempted child torture, while his wife entered a no-contest plea to aggravated child abuse, local ABC affiliate KTVX reported. Both defendants face up to 15 years in prison at sentencing, which is scheduled for Nov. 17.
According to a probable-cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime from Moab police, Jennifer Perkins became the boy’s legal guardian in March 2025. The affidavit said he was healthy until July, when he “began drastically losing weight.”
Police also said the boy appeared to be wearing shirts featuring a “nonfavorable depiction of his mother.” By October 2025, he had become so frail that the Division of Children and Family Services and Moab police removed him from the home on the 400 block of N. 500 West.
“His appearance is described as frail and skeletal-like, with his skin sunken into his person,” police wrote.
Investigators said the child lost approximately 10 pounds over five months, equivalent to about 13% of his body weight.
Doctors diagnosed him with severe malnutrition and refeeding syndrome.
The boy’s parents allegedly placed him on a strict vegan diet consisting primarily of vegetables and rice. According to police, he was frequently hungry and would eat snacks quickly whenever they were given to him.
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Investigators said he began eating items including Tums, DayQuil and toothpaste. Despite his worsening condition, however, his parents allegedly did not seek medical care for him.
Jennifer Perkins worked at a hospital and told investigators she did not seek help because she did not want anyone to get in trouble, according to the affidavit.
During a forensic interview, the boy described additional alleged abuse. Police said he told investigators that he was locked inside a dog kennel and restrained with zip ties.
“On other occasions when he did not obey Jeremiah, he was forced to remove his clothes to only his underwear, was hog tied via metal handcuffs which were placed on his wrists and ankles and then tied together via a rope which was used by Jeremiah for easy transportation of the victim, where he was placed on a cold vent in Jeremiah’s bedroom,” the affidavit stated.
He also allegedly was gagged and forced to take cold showers five or six times.
Police said both parents allegedly took part in the abuse. Investigators also reported that the boy had bruises and scratches across his body.
Another adult who lived in the home, 29-year-old Jonathan Jarman, was also charged. He pleaded guilty to reckless aggravated child abuse and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 17.
Prosecutors told KTVX that they accepted the plea agreements so the child would not be required to testify. The defendants are prohibited from contacting the victim until he turns 18.