A couple living in Polk County, central Florida, United States, was arrested and charged with “child abuse with great harm.” This for the death of his 2-year-old daughter, who possibly died of hunger.
“She was just skin and bone when she was examined by medical personnel,” the sheriff’s office said Thursday.
Regis Johnson, 57, and Arhonda Tilman, 35, of Davenport, were arrested in the death of their daughter. They were transferred to a county jail, where they are being held without bail.
“This is appalling and should never have happened. Due to the actions of these parents, this child will never have a chance to grow up,” Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said indignantly.
They starved their 2-year-old daughter
He reminded parents who do not love their children that there are resources such as “leaving the baby at a fire station or social services, among other options. But never let a child die like that.”
The body of the minor weighed only 9.5 pounds (4.3 kilos) at the time of her death. The forensic doctor who performed the autopsy determined that the little girl “had no food in her stomach and she had suffered from hunger for a long time.” This was stated in a statement from the sheriff’s officer.
Negligence
In the investigation, detectives learned that in December 2019 the Department of Children and Families (DCF) launched a neglect investigation. It revealed that the victim was steadily losing weight and that her parents were not keeping medical appointments.
Detectives also contacted the victim’s pediatrician, who told them the parents’ last visit with the child was in January 2020.
So the doctor’s office tried to contact the parents several times without success, out of concern that the girl might have cystic fibrosis.
At a press conference today, Judd said that the girl weighed 6 pounds and 10 ounces (just over 3 kilos) at birth, in July 2019. And that at the time of her death on May 10, her weight was so only 4.3 kilos.
“He should have weighed 32 pounds (14.5 kilos). From a doctor’s appointment in January 2020, to his death, he only gained 1 ounce. He couldn’t get up or talk or walk,” the bailiff said.
