Elgin, Illinois – An Illinois woman has been sentenced to decades in prison after prosecutors revealed she subjected a 7-year-old boy in her care to years of severe abuse, starvation, and medical neglect, leaving the child weighing just 14 pounds when he arrived at a hospital in cardiac arrest.
Authorities said the child’s condition reflected prolonged and intentional harm, describing it as one of the most disturbing child abuse cases handled in recent years in Kane County.
Child Brought to Hospital in Cardiac Arrest
The investigation began in March 2024, when Eulalia Vences, 55, and the child’s mother, Natali Cruz-Gemchi, 33, rushed the unresponsive boy to the emergency room at Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin, located in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Doctors were able to stabilize the child, but medical staff were immediately alarmed by his condition. Hospital records showed the boy weighed only 14 pounds, a weight more typical of an infant than a school-aged child.
Medical evaluations concluded the child was suffering from extreme malnutrition, untreated medical issues, and signs of prolonged abuse.
Prosecutors Describe Years of Torture and Neglect
According to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, the boy’s condition was “consistent with severe intentional physical torture, psychological torture, and medical neglect.”
Investigators determined that the abuse did not occur suddenly. Prosecutors said the neglect and mistreatment went on for at least three years, during which the child was denied adequate food, medical care, and basic necessities.
Vences, who served as the boy’s live-in caregiver, was found to have played a central role in the prolonged abuse alongside the child’s mother.
Guilty Plea and Prison Sentence
Vences pleaded guilty to aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, a felony charge reflecting the severity of the injuries inflicted on the child.
On sentencing, a judge ordered Vences to serve 20 years in state prison. Officials confirmed she will receive credit for nearly 600 days already served, but under Illinois law, she must complete at least 85% of her sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
In addition to aggravated battery, both Vences and Cruz-Gemchi were originally charged with multiple counts, including aggravated domestic battery and child endangerment.
Prosecutor Calls Case “Unforgivable”
Assistant State’s Attorney Lori Schmidt described the case as among the most disturbing of her career.
“In my many years as a prosecutor, this is one of the most disturbing cases I have encountered,” Schmidt said. “For an adult to neglect, torture, and starve a child in their care, with such wanton disregard for the child’s well-being, is both unforgivable and horrendous.”
Schmidt emphasized that while the child survived, the damage caused by years of abuse will likely follow him for the rest of his life.
“As a result of these actions, the child will face long-term medical complications and lifelong psychiatric consequences,” she said.
Child’s Recovery and Long-Term Impact
Authorities have not released details about the child’s current condition or placement, citing privacy and safety concerns. However, prosecutors confirmed that the boy survived the abuse and is now receiving medical and protective care.
Medical experts involved in the case warned that prolonged malnutrition and psychological trauma at such a young age can lead to lasting developmental, cognitive, and emotional challenges.
Case Against Mother Still Ongoing
While Vences’ case has concluded with a prison sentence, the legal proceedings involving the child’s mother are still underway.
Natali Cruz-Gemchi, 33, faces similar charges related to the abuse and neglect. Court records show she is scheduled to appear for a hearing on January 21, and prosecutors indicated the case remains active.
Authorities Urge Vigilance in Child Welfare Cases
Officials stressed the importance of reporting suspected child abuse or neglect, noting that prolonged harm often occurs when warning signs go unnoticed or unreported.
Prosecutors said cases like this highlight the critical role played by medical professionals, educators, and community members in identifying and reporting concerns before irreversible harm occurs.
As Vences begins her prison sentence, authorities say the focus now remains on ensuring the child receives ongoing medical treatment, psychological support, and long-term protection.
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