A mother who abducted her son during a custody dispute will not be going to jail after keeping him hidden in a closet for two years, all the while claiming the child was missing.

The 32-year-old Illinois woman reportedly kept the child at his grandmother's house, around 120 miles southeast of St. Louis, and only allowed him out of the room at night. Over a two year period, he was not allowed to leave his grandmother's house, or see natural light, even for medical care. The woman was apparently afraid she would lose a custody dispute with the boy's father, who had won temporary custody shortly before the abduction.

The boy was discovered by police who raided the home two years after he was reported missing. The father has since been awarded permanent custody of the child. The judge who awarded permanent custody to the father noted that hiding the boy was neglect, causing him to be absent from school and medical care.

According to the sources, the boy's grandmother directed his mother to flee with the boy in order to protect him from his father's abusive treatment, but authorities have rejected those allegations.

The child's mother pleaded guilty to five misdemeanors, including obstruction, on Monday, for which she will pay $1,500 in fines and be on probation for two years. His grandmother has also pleaded guilty to obstruction. In addition, the grandmother's boyfriend has also accused of having a role in the boy's hiding, but charges against him have been dropped.

The charges were reportedly prompted by the custody case's slow movement through court. The mother will be allowed to seek visitation.

Source: Daily Mail, "Mother kept son in secret room the size of a washing machine for two years while claiming he was missing," Martin Robinson, Sep 21, 2011.