Cheyenne, Wyoming – A 14-year-old boy is recovering after what investigators describe as one of the most severe child-abuse cases they have seen in years. Police say the teen was tortured, denied food, forced to drink gallons of water daily, and left with untreated injuries before he was finally hospitalized in mid-October.
Investigators say the teenager had been living in the couple’s basement, weighing just 92 pounds at 5-foot-4, and showing signs of long-term malnourishment, wounds, and organ distress. His mother, Stephanie Linke, 36, and her boyfriend, Michael Gruchacz, 35, have been charged with two counts each of aggravated child abuse.
What Police Found When the Boy Arrived at the Hospital
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Cap City News, the couple brought the teen to a Cheyenne hospital on October 16. Linke reportedly told staff her son had been “refusing food and drinks,” claiming he starved himself because he wasn’t allowed junk food or soda.
Medical staff quickly determined the story didn’t match the child’s condition.
Doctors discovered the teen had been forced to drink nearly two gallons of water per day, leading to hyponatremia, a potentially fatal condition caused by dangerously low sodium levels. The boy’s oxygen saturation was just 82%, far below the healthy range of 95% to 100%. Physicians warned authorities the teen likely would have died without immediate intervention.
Staff also documented a “long-term” untreated wound behind his ear, along with bruises and scrapes across his body.
Allegations of Severe Physical Abuse Over Several Months
Once stabilized, the teen told investigators that both adults regularly yelled at him, dragged him on the carpet, and physically assaulted him. He described one incident where Gruchacz hit him in the neck and shoulder with a “karate chop.”
According to investigators, surveillance footage from inside the home captured Gruchacz pacing in front of the boy before his hospitalization, telling him:
“We will report everything you have done since that is the only way we can protect your mom.”
Another video referenced in court documents shows Gruchacz allegedly telling Linke, while the child stood nearby:
“Ya know, if you suspend him by his feet and make a small slit, all the blood in his body will drain out.”
Disturbing Conversation Days Before Hospitalization
Court records show an alleged conversation between the couple from October 13 — just days before the teen was taken to the hospital.
Linke: “He is eating now.”
Gruchacz: “Punch him in the throat.”
Linke: “First he just walked upstairs without being called.”
Gruchacz: “Was he looking for open kitchen hours?”
The teen’s siblings also reported their brother lived separately in the basement and was typically allowed to eat only leftovers, ramen, or peanut butter unless he “earned” the right to join the family for meals.
Medical Team Says Weight Loss Was Abuse, Not Choice
Despite the pair’s claims that the teen “starved himself,” hospital professionals described him as moderately malnourished and vitamin deficient. During his hospital stay, he gained 11 pounds, further contradicting the adults’ statements.
Doctors also told investigators the combination of excessive water intake, lack of nutrition, and untreated injuries had pushed the boy toward potential organ failure.
The Emergency That Exposed the Case
According to the affidavit, the boy began vomiting repeatedly and “continuously urinating” before becoming unresponsive at home. The couple reportedly placed him in a bathtub to revive him before calling 911.
When paramedics arrived, the teen was combative — a common response in extreme hyponatremia — and was transported to the hospital.
He was later flown to Children’s Hospital Colorado in Denver, where he regained consciousness the next day.
Charges and Bond Status
Prosecutors accuse both Linke and Gruchacz of causing serious bodily injury and substantial emotional harm through “torture or cruel confinement.”
Gruchacz has since bonded out of the Laramie County Jail. Linke remains in custody on a $50,000 bond.
Why Severe Abuse Cases Often Go Undetected
Cases like this frequently involve isolation, control of food access, and restricted movement inside the home — all factors that make detection difficult. When children are kept out of sight or separated from siblings, signs of malnutrition or injury may go unnoticed for months.
Experts say the warning signs of severe abuse can include:
- Sudden weight loss
- Fearful or withdrawn behavior
- Restricted access to food
- Unexplained bruises or untreated injuries
- A child being isolated from family members
- Overly strict or punitive household rules
In this case, investigators say home surveillance footage, sibling statements, and medical reports all pointed to a pattern of long-term mistreatment.
Community Impact and Next Steps
The teen has been placed in protective care, and authorities say additional interviews and evaluations are ongoing. Child welfare officials across Wyoming emphasize the importance of reporting concerns early, particularly when a child appears unusually thin, isolated, or fearful.
If convicted, both adults could face significant prison time under Wyoming’s aggravated child abuse statute.
Conclusion
Authorities describe the teen’s recovery as “remarkable,” given how close he came to collapse. The ongoing investigation is expected to examine the full timeline of events, including the months of alleged abuse that led to the emergency hospitalization.
Share Your Thoughts
Have you seen similar cases in your community or noticed warning signs in a child you were concerned about? Share your experiences in the comments below.
