Tragic Illinois Boy's Death Reveals Shocking Neglect and Abuse

Testimony during the murder trial of an 8-year-old Illinois boy revealed that he weighed just 30 pounds and was covered in bruises at the time of his death. His cause of death was chronic malnutrition and physical abuse, and both of his parents were charged with his murder. The boy's mother pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, while his father is currently on trial. Disturbing photographs of the boy's emaciated body and the squalid conditions he was forced to live in were shown to the jury. Evidence presented also indicated that the parents limited the boy's access to food and the bathroom, and a note taped to his door instructed his older brother not to give him food or let him out of his room. The boy's grandmother, who had custody of him, left him in his parents' care when she had to go to Florida, and when she returned, they refused to give the boys back to her.