While making laps around the yard as a form of discipline for forgetting the 13 Bible passages. For a whole week, this punishment was to be administered for two hours each day.
Ethan was carrying a log that was two-thirds of his body weight since, prior to his tragic death, he weighed perhaps 60 pounds (and his twin was probably approximately the same).
Even if this would have been enough cruelty, it seems that he was forced to do this task in very cold weather without a coat or boots.
Damian, the adolescent overseeing this punishment, would then kick and strike him severely whenever he fell or resisted. As part of his “punishment,” Ethan was even buried under the snow at one point.
Considering this, Ethan’s injuries correspond to the trauma that coroners are confident killed him, indicating that the family that was meant to look after him committed murder.
All three are now in custody and have appeared in court after a month-long inquiry. Ethan will at least get some little justice.
