California investigators: Parents of tortured boys had third son

WONDER VALLEY, California (CNN) -- A couple arrested for the severe neglect of two sons, discovered at their home last Saturday, had a third child who may be buried in the desert about 20 miles from the couple's home, investigators said Tuesday.

Investigators said they have identified a gravesite where they believe the third son may have been buried.

Both Carrie and John Davis and an aunt living in the home have been charged with torture and child neglect and are in custody. Their bail has been set at $2 million each.

The suspected gravesite was identified by an undisclosed source who told sheriff's investigators that the parents had another child.

"We are getting information that indicates that there was a third son, there may have been a sibling that may not have been seen for 10 years," said Chip Patterson with the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Department.

According to the sheriff's department, the parents have told them that they had a third son who was sickly and died six years ago.

Patterson also said that homicide detectives, forensic investigators and possibly an anthropologist will continue to investigate the possible gravesite Wednesday morning.

According to child protective services, the boys aged 12 and 17 suffered "severe medical, mental and dental neglect, severe physical and emotional abuse and severe malnutrition and educational neglect" at the hands of their parents.

Last Saturday, the Morongo Basin Sheriff's station responded to a 911 call made by the 17-year-old son who "reported that he and his 12-year-old brother were being kept locked in chains in their bedrooms." A woman who later was identified as their aunt, Faye Potts, called 911 about thirty minutes later and told dispatch that her nephew's call had been a prank, according to a press release from the sheriff's department.

Deputies responded, however, and discovered the boys "filthy, malnourished, in poor physical health and underdeveloped," according to the release.

Dog chains hung from the children's bed posts and both boys had marks on their wrists that "were consistent with being restrained," the release said.

Local media reported that the boys were given only bread and rice to eat and that they were only permitted to speak by reciting Bible passages.

The sheriff's department has made an appeal to anyone who may have information about a third son of the couple.

See related sites about US

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.