Missing teen reportedly held in padlocked room, mother and stepfather arrested as search continues

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News/Gray News) - The disappearance of an Arizona teen has led to the arrest of his mother and stepfather after the teen was reportedly kept in a padlocked room without water or air conditioning prior to his disappearance.

Ryker Lee was reported missing around 10 a.m. on Tuesday. As of 10 p.m. Wednesday, the 15-year-old Lee had not been found.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety has now issued a Missing Endangered Person Advisory for Lee.

Mother, stepfather arrested

As deputies were investigating Lee’s disappearance, detectives said they uncovered evidence of child abuse involving Lee and his two younger siblings.

Danielle Lee-Sharp, 39, and Michael Menzie, 43, were then arrested for child abuse.

The Arizona Department of Child Services took custody of Lee’s two siblings.

Menzie and Lee-Sharp made their initial court appearances early Wednesday morning.

Lee-Sharp’s bond was set at $5,000, and Menzie’s was set at $10,000 due to a previous misdemeanor conviction on similar charges involving the children.

According to the Pima County jail roster, neither Lee-Sharp nor Menzie was in custody as of Wednesday night.

While the charges were not read in court, the PCSD said they face three counts of child abuse.

According to the interim complaints 13 News obtained, detectives searched the home and found conditions “not suitable for the juveniles.”

Ryker was also reportedly being held inside a small, padlocked room in an RV without running water, restroom facilities or air conditioning.

His two younger siblings, ages 8 and 10, were found living in “deplorable and unsanitary” conditions inside the main house, according to the complaint. The home reportedly smelled of cat urine and had stains of vomit and feces throughout the floor. The complaint also says the children were sleeping on plastic mattresses with no bedding, that their closest bathroom had no sink, and that the home was filled with insects.

Neighbor describes reaction to arrests

Hailey Shonk, a Three Points resident, said she met Ryker and his family in June and that Ryker had confided to her that he was depressed and suicidal.

“The way they would describe how they were, the looks of how the parents taught and what they did with their kids, it was unsettling at the most,” Shonk said.

Shonk said she cried when she heard Ryker was missing but hopes he can get help and that his parents are held accountable.

“Today, seeing the parents were finally arrested for it, it was a sigh of relief knowing that justice will be done for what had happened to him and his siblings,” Shonk said.

Community searches for Ryker

The Three Points community started a search party Wednesday afternoon. Jessie Sager, a Three Points resident, said neighbors will keep searching.

“We’re gonna search no matter what, even into the dark if we have to, because this boy needs to be found,” Sager said.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says Ryker has a medical condition and requires insulin to survive. As of Wednesday afternoon, PCSD says there is still no sign of him.

“I feel bad, I’m sorry that he’s scared, and I don’t want him to be scared; I want him to be found and be reunited with his siblings,” Sager said.

Deputies said camera footage shows Lee leaving the Three Points home around 10 a.m., an hour before he was reported missing.

Lee is described as 5-foot-9 and 120 pounds. He was last seen wearing a neon green shirt and floral-print pants. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. The PCSD said he has a condition that requires medication.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911.