Search Results for: food

Couple arrested after child goes to neighbor’s house looking for food

Whitewater, WI

A Wisconsin couple has been charged with multiple counts of child abuse and neglect after one of their children sought food at a neighbor’s home. Wilber Copeland, 42, and Megan Cis, 33, were arrested on Tuesday after Lincoln County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from a neighbor.

The neighbor reported that one of Copeland and Cis’s eight children had arrived at her home asking for food. The child informed the neighbor that their parents were absent and that there was no food available in their RV.

Upon investigation, deputies observed unsanitary conditions inside the RV, including inadequate heating, spoiled food, dog feces, and marijuana. The children reported that their parents ordered them to clean the RV during their absence and that Cis had physically abused them on multiple occasions.

According to the children, Cis once choked one child and punched her in the ribs, resulting in visible injuries. The children also stated that they were instructed to lie about the situation to avoid getting in trouble.

Upon their return, deputies located additional marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the RV. Copeland and Cis face charges including child neglect, possession of THC, and possession of paraphernalia. Cis has been additionally charged with child abuse.

Cis was booked into Lincoln County Jail and posted a $2,500 bond on Wednesday. She is set to appear in court for a status conference on January 12, 2026. Copeland remains in custody with a $5,000 bond, with his arraignment scheduled for January 28, 2026.

Dad calls cops to remove son after demanding food

Orangeburg, SC A South Carolina father faces charges for unlawful conduct toward a child after he allegedly called law enforcement to remove his 11-year-old son from their home. Thomas Baker, 44, made the call on Saturday while reporting that his son was being unruly and not listening.

Upon investigation, deputies learned Baker threatened his son when the boy asked for something to eat. According to the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office, the child received a hostile response, including explicit threats.

The child then reported additional comments from Baker, which escalated to violent suggestions about self-harm. Baker allegedly stated, “If you are on fire, I’ll pour gas on you so you burn even more.”

The Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell remarked on the situation, referencing a biblical verse about parental responsibilities, stating the child “didn’t even get a stone” when asking for help. The incident reportedly was captured on video, now part of the investigation.

Following the events, the child has been placed with a family member for safety. Baker remains charged pending further legal proceedings.

Mom ordered food while infant starved to death, sentenced to prison

Sun Prairie, WI A 22-year-old woman was sentenced to eight years in prison for felony child neglect after her infant son died from malnourishment. Taryn L. Strait pleaded guilty in connection with the death of her three-week-old son Dev’Kumar Keys.

The child died on February 1 in Sun Prairie, a suburb of Madison. An autopsy indicated that the infant weighed only five pounds, having lost more than a pound since his birth.

Strait and her boyfriend, 27-year-old De’Varius D. Keys, primarily fed the child almond milk while refusing to give him formula. Strait believed that baby formulas contained lead and supported her notion by watching videos online.

On the day of the child’s death, police reports stated that Strait observed the infant in his bassinet around 2:30 a.m. Shortly thereafter, she felt the boy go limp after picking him up.

Instead of calling 911, Strait and Keys transported the infant to a hospital due to concerns about ambulance costs. Medical personnel attempted to save the boy, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Investigators revealed that the infant’s weight loss had prompted doctors to advise the parents to increase feeding every two hours. The couple did not attend a subsequent doctor’s appointment to monitor the child’s health and failed to respond to follow-up calls from Child Protective Services.

CPS had previously assessed the case and closed it, citing insufficient evidence of neglect. An autopsy later confirmed that Dev’Kumar died from starvation and dehydration.

During the sentencing, the assistant district attorney criticized Strait for neglecting her child’s needs. Strait acknowledged her wrongdoings and expressed remorse while stating the child’s death would impact her for life.

Circuit Judge Nicholas McNamara expressed disbelief at Strait prioritizing her and her boyfriend’s needs while their infant was suffering. Keys is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on November 20.