A Jonesborough Couple Accused Of Keeping A Ten Year Autistic Girl In A Wooden Cage Told Deputies The Department Of Children’s Service Had Approved Their Method Of Using A Locked Cage To Control The Child And That It Had Been Used For Three Or Four Years. The Girl’s Caretakers, 69 Year Old Mickey Sparks And 43 Year Old Patricia Laws Are Each Charged With Aggravated Child Abuse And Neglect. Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies Made The Discovery At A Home On Miller Crossing Road After Conducting A Welfare Check. The Couple Is Set To Appear Back In Court On February 16th.