BELEN, N.M. — A New Mexico family is drawing scrutiny for punishing their teenage son by making him live in a tent in the desert.
Jacob and Angela Boggus said they banished their 16-year-old son to the tent outside their Belen, N.M., house after he brought home bad grades and kept stealing. The pair said they want to teach their son a lesson before his behavior gets worse.
Under the punishment, the teen stays in the tent during the day. He's fed, has all the water he needs and can use the bathroom in the house.
The couple said the punishment will last a month, unless he completes five book reports.
Valencia County sheriff's office Chief Deputy Gary Hall said he didn't see anything that was abuse or negligent.