West Allis, WI – A 21-year-old father and 31-year-old mother have been charged in the death of their 4-year-old son, who was found unresponsive outside a Dairy Queen restaurant over the weekend. Prosecutors say the father admitted to beating the child with his hands, leaving him fatally injured, and waiting over an hour before seeking medical help.
The Incident: Child Found Dead Outside Dairy Queen
Authorities say Devario Cruz, 21, and Charlotte Kurek, 31, brought their 4-year-old son, Dante Campbell, to a Dairy Queen parking lot in West Allis, a suburb of Milwaukee, after the child became unresponsive early Saturday morning.
First responders arrived to find Dante “stiff” with “bone-white gums,” signs that he had been without oxygen for some time. Despite immediate efforts by paramedics, he was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Police described Dante’s injuries as extensive and disturbing. One officer wrote in court documents that the case involved “the most severe injuries I have witnessed on a child.”
Investigation and Evidence: A Grisly Pattern of Abuse
According to the criminal complaint, Cruz told police that he went into the twins’ bedroom around 7 a.m. and found Dante “unresponsive” and “blue.” He told Kurek, “I don’t think he’s alive, I think he’s dead.”
Instead of calling 911, the couple waited more than an hour before leaving their home. They stopped at a friend’s house to drop off Dante’s twin sister—leaving three other children home alone—before Kurek finally called emergency services.
During the call, Cruz reportedly confessed, saying, “I killed my kid. I want to kill myself.”
Police later discovered that Dante had bruises across his body, urine-soaked clothing, and injuries inconsistent with an accidental fall, as initially claimed by Kurek.
“My son looked like he got his a— beat by a grown man,” Kurek later admitted, according to investigators.
Court Proceedings and Charges
Cruz has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide, repeated acts of physical abuse of a child causing death, physical abuse causing bodily harm, and two counts of chronic child neglect.
Kurek faces chronic neglect of a child resulting in death and an additional count of child neglect.
Both appeared in court this week, where Cruz’s bond was set at $250,000 and Kurek’s at $100,000, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.
Prosecutors allege that Cruz beat his son on Friday, the day before the child’s death. When asked how hard he struck Dante, Cruz said it was “a 7 or 8” on a scale of 10. He later added, “I only used my hands.”
Statements and Reactions
Investigators said Kurek initially lied, claiming Dante had fallen down stairs. She later admitted she fabricated the story because she feared for her safety and acknowledged Cruz was “heavy-handed.”
Child Protective Services had previous contact with the couple. Kurek reportedly saved a CPS worker’s number in her phone as “CPS b—.”
Neighbors told police they had heard the children crying late at night and said the parents often left the twins home alone. Officers also found guns and over a pound of marijuana in the residence, leading authorities to believe Cruz was selling drugs.
“This was not a tragic accident,” said one investigator. “It was a prolonged pattern of abuse.”
Background Context: Twin Sister and Ongoing Investigation
Dante’s twin sister was also found with visible injuries, including a swollen eye, scratches, and bruises. When asked what happened, she reportedly said, “Daddy hurt me.”
Investigators found children’s shoes stained with blood inside the home. Police believe the twins had been subjected to ongoing physical violence.
Family members said Dante had previously lived with relatives, including Rosy Hudson, who described herself as his aunt. He had only recently returned to his parents’ custody.
Community Response and Memorial
A GoFundMe launched in Dante’s memory described him as “a happy and loving boy who deserved so much better.”
“He was taken from us by the very people who were supposed to protect him,” the post read. “His smile and laugh lit up every room, and his memory will forever live on with those of us who truly loved him.”
Community members in West Allis have since called for stronger child welfare oversight and accountability for state agencies involved with the family.
Conclusion
Both parents remain behind bars as investigators continue to review evidence of long-term abuse and neglect. Prosecutors are expected to present more findings during upcoming hearings. For now, the community mourns a little boy whose short life ended in unimaginable tragedy.
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