Overview
- Authorities say the boys, ages 9 and 11, were hospitalized in stable condition after the 9-year-old arrived on Nov. 17 severely underweight, without a pulse, and was airlifted for specialized care.
- Investigators reported the 9-year-old weighed 33 pounds and the 11-year-old weighed 43 pounds, describing the children as critically malnourished.
- Prosecutors allege the boys were confined to a bedroom with windows screwed shut and painted over, fed sporadic meals of rice, and exhibited survival behaviors such as hoarding food and having pockets sewn shut.
- Detective testimony at arraignment included a disclosure that one child feared his stepmother and described injuries from her, while charges were also filed against a 24-year-old adult son said to act as a disciplinarian.
- Officials said the boys were unenrolled from Pontiac schools in September after the father claimed the family was moving, CPS removed two younger healthy children and began termination proceedings, and court dates were set for Dec. 4 and Dec. 11.