Wisconsin Couple Charged with Child Neglect and Abuse After Teen Girl Weighing 58 Pounds Found Unresponsive
Jan 05, 12:00 PM
A Wisconsin couple, Brittany E. Hull, 31, and Tristan P. Hull, 38, both residents of Rib Mountain/Wausau, are facing severe charges of child neglect resulting in great bodily harm and child abuse causing great bodily harm after a shocking incident involving a malnourished 15-year-old girl.
The charges were filed on Thursday afternoon, following an investigation into the October 15 medical emergency at the Hulls' Rib Mountain residence. According to authorities, a deputy responded to a call that day and discovered an emergency medical technician performing CPR on the teenage girl inside an ambulance. Despite their efforts, the life-saving procedure lasted a harrowing 25 minutes.
Tristan Hull, who was present during the incident, told the deputy that the girl had consumed a protein shake and subsequently experienced breathing difficulties. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she became unresponsive. Brittany Hull was identified as the person with the girl during the medical emergency.
Shockingly, the girl, who had stopped growing for several years, was found to be just 4 feet tall and weighed a mere 58 pounds when taken to Marshfield Medical Center five days later. Hospital staff diagnosed her with severe dehydration, malnutrition, and organ failure. They ruled out any medical condition or self-inflicted harm, stating that her condition was primarily due to severe malnutrition.
Medical experts noted that the girl's weight was 32 pounds below the normal range for her age, and she was approximately 5 inches shorter than the average height for girls her age. A doctor attributed these conditions to extreme malnutrition.
Further investigation revealed that the girl had attended a local church's children's program for several years, and concerned church staff had observed her health deteriorate over time. According to a pastor at the church, the girl often struggled to focus due to extreme hunger. She would frequently sneak food, even hiding snacks in her pockets and eating in secret to avoid detection by Brittany Hull.
While hospitalized, the girl expressed relief at being able to eat freely and promptly gained weight. This contradicted Brittany Hull's claims that she had worked with a nutritionist to develop a diet for the girl to address her attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as the girl's brain function was found to be appropriate.
In a chilling revelation, the girl reported that Brittany and Tristan Hull regularly prevented her from eating breakfast and snacks, strictly controlled her access to food, and even placed her separately during meals. Brittany Hull restricted her water intake to a mere 16 ounces and sometimes had to feed her because the girl's wrists were too weak.
A shocking discovery was made in the girl's living conditions as well. Her bedroom had a lock on the door, all windows were secured, and an alarm system was installed. Books were taped to her mattress to force her to sleep in a certain position, and she had no blankets or bedding.
Evidence also emerged from Tristan Hull's cellphone, including messages discussing the girl shivering in her room. Security camera footage showed the girl being forced to stand with her hands raised for extended periods, crying and shaking, while both Brittany and Tristan Hull were seen entering the room and making her raise her hands higher, despite her distress.
If convicted, the couple faces a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
This disturbing case of child neglect and abuse has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about the welfare of vulnerable children and the need for heightened vigilance and intervention in such cases.
The charges were filed on Thursday afternoon, following an investigation into the October 15 medical emergency at the Hulls' Rib Mountain residence. According to authorities, a deputy responded to a call that day and discovered an emergency medical technician performing CPR on the teenage girl inside an ambulance. Despite their efforts, the life-saving procedure lasted a harrowing 25 minutes.
Tristan Hull, who was present during the incident, told the deputy that the girl had consumed a protein shake and subsequently experienced breathing difficulties. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she became unresponsive. Brittany Hull was identified as the person with the girl during the medical emergency.
Shockingly, the girl, who had stopped growing for several years, was found to be just 4 feet tall and weighed a mere 58 pounds when taken to Marshfield Medical Center five days later. Hospital staff diagnosed her with severe dehydration, malnutrition, and organ failure. They ruled out any medical condition or self-inflicted harm, stating that her condition was primarily due to severe malnutrition.
Medical experts noted that the girl's weight was 32 pounds below the normal range for her age, and she was approximately 5 inches shorter than the average height for girls her age. A doctor attributed these conditions to extreme malnutrition.
Further investigation revealed that the girl had attended a local church's children's program for several years, and concerned church staff had observed her health deteriorate over time. According to a pastor at the church, the girl often struggled to focus due to extreme hunger. She would frequently sneak food, even hiding snacks in her pockets and eating in secret to avoid detection by Brittany Hull.
While hospitalized, the girl expressed relief at being able to eat freely and promptly gained weight. This contradicted Brittany Hull's claims that she had worked with a nutritionist to develop a diet for the girl to address her attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as the girl's brain function was found to be appropriate.
In a chilling revelation, the girl reported that Brittany and Tristan Hull regularly prevented her from eating breakfast and snacks, strictly controlled her access to food, and even placed her separately during meals. Brittany Hull restricted her water intake to a mere 16 ounces and sometimes had to feed her because the girl's wrists were too weak.
A shocking discovery was made in the girl's living conditions as well. Her bedroom had a lock on the door, all windows were secured, and an alarm system was installed. Books were taped to her mattress to force her to sleep in a certain position, and she had no blankets or bedding.
Evidence also emerged from Tristan Hull's cellphone, including messages discussing the girl shivering in her room. Security camera footage showed the girl being forced to stand with her hands raised for extended periods, crying and shaking, while both Brittany and Tristan Hull were seen entering the room and making her raise her hands higher, despite her distress.
If convicted, the couple faces a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
This disturbing case of child neglect and abuse has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about the welfare of vulnerable children and the need for heightened vigilance and intervention in such cases.
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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com