Bullhead Man Justifies Using Zip Ties to Restrain 9-Year-Old Son from Endangering Younger Sibling

A man from Bullhead City faces serious legal repercussions after restraining his son with zip ties to prevent harm to a younger sibling. Vincent Jean-Louis, 40, made this statement during a change of plea hearing on Wednesday at the Law and Justice Center in Kingman.

The incident escalated on July 20 when the couple’s nine-year-old son managed to escape from his restraints and sought help at a nearby gas station. Once there, he reportedly asked for ice cream and expressed that his father was unkind.

In court, Jean-Louis explained to Judge Doug Camacho that he used the zip ties to keep his older son from suffocating his three-year-old sibling. “I decided to zip tie him so he could not harm him or himself,” he stated, adding that the restraints were only used during sleep.

Jean-Louis also cited concerns about the older boy’s history of abusive behavior and potential access to weapons within the household. He claimed that the overnight restraints were a temporary measure while he sought mental health resources for his son.

However, Deputy County Attorney Jeff Haws raised concerns about the nature of Jean-Louis’s parenting practices. He pointed out that the father allegedly used food deprivation and physical exercises as punishment for misbehavior. Haws emphasized that the use of zip ties over an extended period resulted in visible injuries, stating, “The zip ties had dug into his skin and left ligature marks.”

As part of the plea agreement, there is a possibility of probation. However, the terms also include a potential prison sentence of up to 2.5 years, with sentencing scheduled for November 15.