Montco Parents Charged With Near Starvation Of Six-Year-Old Son
By Brad Segall
BRIDGEPORT, Pa. (CBS) -- Montgomery County authorities have charged a Bridgeport couple with assault and child endangerment for nearly starving their six-year-old son to death.
Prosecutors say the six-year-old was admitted to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia three months ago weighing just 29 pounds and near death.
Following an extensive investigation, they charged Victor and Olaifa Ramos of Fourth Street in Bridgeport with simple and aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
Montgomery County prosecutor Samantha Cauffman says the allegations involve medical neglect and malnutrition.
"This child was not given proper nutrition, proper calories to maintain a healthy body weight for his system, for his development," Cauffman explained.
She says his skin was flaking off and he had no fat on his body.
Cauffman says doctors at CHOP call it one of the worst cases of malnutrition they've ever seen.
The child spent more than a month in the hospital and was improving, but returned twice suffering from malnourishment. He is now in protective custody.
Court records indicate that CHOP notified the Philadelphia Office of Children and Youth that his condition was due to medical neglect.
The parents remain free on bail pending their next court appearance.
