Caged child trial to begin Tuesday

GLOUCESTER, Va. (WAVY) - A trial for Gloucester County parents accused of locking their 6-year-old child in a makeshift cage is scheduled to begin Tuesday.

Shannon and Brian Gore are accused of locking their daughter inside of crib fashioned into a cage and not feeding her or letting her bathe for days.

It was announced Monday the victim will not appear in court, but will testify via closed circuit TV in Gloucester County.

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Investigators will say two years ago, they found the 6-year-old girl nude, laying in her own feces, suffering from bed sores, and so hungry, detectives saw her eating the flaky skin from her forehead.

Experts from CHKD are expected to testify that even though the victim, who is now 8 years old, survived, she suffered permanent injury. Officials with CHKD would not comment on the case.

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10 On Your Side contacted a registered dietician and asked questions about the effect of malnutrition and prenatal care.

"The most critical development for a child starts nine months before the infant's born," dietician Debbie Moore said.

Prosecutors are expected to show Shannon Gore delivered her daughter at home, and never even took her to the hospital for a checkup. The young girl does not even have a birth certificate.

"The main part of the brain development is through the age of two," Moore said.

Two years ago, the girl was found starved and prosecutors will show that caused significant and permanent damage that could get the Gores a life in prison sentence.

"Malnutrition can affect a child's brain and affect cognitive development. These children may not do as well in school with their learning performance," Moore said.

Stay with WAVY News on-air and online for more on this developing story.