A horrifying case of child abuse has surfaced in Pennsylvania, where authorities say malnourished twin teenage boys were forced to fare freezing temperatures while naked.
Their parents now face serious charges, including conspiracy to commit third-degree murder and aggravated assault.
Joshua Dechant, 36, and Tracy Dechant, 42, were arrested after police responded to a call in January regarding a nearly naked 15-year-old boy running through a neighborhood in Lower Macungie Township. The teen, authorities said, claimed he had been forced outside by his stepfather as punishment while temperatures had plunged to single digits.
"His feet were extremely red from the cold and snow," police said, noting the boy had been outside for approximately 20 minutes before officers arrived. Additionally, officials described him as "very malnourished and extremely thin."
Further investigation led police to the Dechant home, where they found another teenage boy in a similar condition. Both victims were severely underweight, a result of alleged long-term food deprivation.
The twins reportedly told officers of other forms of abuse they endured, including starvation, being denied water and being forced to sleep on the floor with only one blanket between the two of them.
The Dechants, who were initially charged with child endangerment, now face additional felony charges as authorities dig deeper into the abuse allegations.
Originally published on Latin Times
