Pontiac, MI – A father and stepmother face serious allegations after their young children were hospitalized with severe malnutrition. Arturo Bazan-Perez and Dulce Crystal Bazan Castillo were arrested over the weekend and charged with multiple counts of child abuse and torture.
The charges stem from reports that a nine-year-old boy suffered cardiac arrest due to malnutrition and was admitted to Trinity Hospital. Weighing only 33 pounds upon arrival, he was in such critical condition that he required airlifting to another facility.
Doctors observed that the boy also exhibited signs of liver failure and various injuries consistent with abuse. His 11-year-old brother, also suffering severe malnutrition at 43 pounds, was brought to the same hospital.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office indicated that the boys had been removed from school in September, with claims of a family move. The children reported receiving less food than their younger siblings, who appeared healthy.
Reports suggest the boys’ windows were secured, preventing them from opening, and glass was painted over, restricting their view. Despite school officials possibly noticing issues when the boys searched for food in trash cans, the parents allegedly interfered by sewing their children’s pockets shut to prevent them from bringing food home.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard stated that enacting specific legislation could have potentially helped these children earlier. He criticized the current state of child protection in light of the outrageous abuse suffered by the victims.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald described the situation as horrifying, expressing her thoughts for the children as they undergo recovery. As of Tuesday, both victims are reported to be in stable condition.
Bazan-Perez and Bazan Castillo are scheduled for a court hearing on December 4.