A Florida couple was arrested for the neglect and abuse of a 5-year-old child, who weighed only 25 pounds when police found him.
When the Department of Children and Families went to the home of Brian and Naomie Hall on June 28 to investigate reports of child neglect, they found the child emaciated and eating small pieces of cereal that he picked up off of the “filthy” floor.
Brian, who is the child’s stepfather, allegedly told the Child Protection Investigator, “He is not my responsibility. I’m not his father. I come from a rich and white family.”
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Two younger children, who are biologically Brian’s, were “taken care of,” according to the police report.
The boy was admitted to the ICU in case of cardiac arrest or seizures and is undergoing physical and speech therapy, as he was unable to walk, speak, or stand when he was found.
When Naomi was arrested, she allegedly told investigators that she did not speak to the child but determined what he needed by his facial expressions. She also admitted that she did not give the child medicine that had been prescribed by a doctor to stimulate his appetite because it made him sleepy and it “did not work for him.”
Naomi has since been charged with child neglect causing great harm, while Brian was charged with failure to report abuse, neglect or abandonment.
Wife says anything she says could hurt her case. She says despite the allegations she still thinks she’s a good mom
— Mike Springer WFTV (@mspringerwftv) July 5, 2017
Husband arrested for not reporting child abuse. Wife was arrested last week when police found 5yo weighing under 25lbs & cant speak or walk pic.twitter.com/jKd6PRb0D1
— Mike Springer WFTV (@mspringerwftv) July 5, 2017