DeWitt, Ohio – A 32-year-old woman and her 34-year-old boyfriend have been arrested for allegedly starving and abusing three children, including a 9-year-old boy found in critical condition weighing only 30 pounds. Authorities describe the case as one of the most disturbing child abuse incidents they’ve encountered.
Critical Condition of 9-Year-Old Sparks Investigation
On September 13, Angel Holland, the 9-year-old’s custodian since 2020, and her boyfriend Aaron Stalling were taken into custody after the boy was found in life-threatening condition at their home on Helen Street, Elmwood Place. First responders arrived at the scene to find the boy unresponsive, with a body temperature below 80 degrees and severe malnutrition.
Emergency services resuscitated the child before rushing him to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Doctors later confirmed the child was severely malnourished and showed signs of physical abuse, including bruising and other injuries.
The Call That Raised Alarm
Stalling called 911, but his casual tone raised concerns. In the 911 recording, he mentioned the child was “breathing heavily” but appeared weak and unresponsive. When asked how long the boy had been struggling, Stalling casually responded, “Maybe 5 minutes… he seems out of it.”
Investigators later discovered that Holland had ignored the boy’s complaints of a stomachache and failed to provide medical care after he had fallen days earlier. Holland allegedly told investigators that she had been preoccupied with another child on the day of the incident.
Abuse and Neglect of Other Children
Further investigation revealed that the couple’s other two children, an 8-year-old and a 6-year-old, were also found to be malnourished and required hospitalization for medical treatment. The authorities uncovered disturbing evidence of neglect, including bungee cords, a belt, and soiled towels inside a vehicle registered to Holland.
Authorities React to the Horrific Scene
Police Chief Randy Newsom, who has 30 years of experience, called the case one of the worst instances of child abuse and neglect he had ever seen. He stated, “He’s terribly malnourished and looks like some, maybe some signs of abuse, but he will probably survive.”
The boy’s grandfather described the photo of his grandson’s condition as, “literally the most horrific, disturbing thing I have ever seen in my life.”
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Both Holland and Stalling are being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center on a $600,000 bond each, facing multiple charges of felonious assault and endangering the safety of children. Their case will be presented to a grand jury on October 3.
Conclusion
This case highlights the disturbing levels of abuse and neglect faced by innocent children. The arrests of Holland and Stalling have brought attention to the horrific conditions that were inflicted on the children, and authorities are continuing their investigation into the couple’s actions.
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