SHATTERING Clinton, MO (64735) Household Horror: 4‑Year‑Old Forced Into Dog Crate During Family Dinner – LIVE UPDATES

Clinton MO A deeply disturbing development has emerged from Clinton Missouri where local agents say a year old boy described as very thin and within days of fatal organ failure was allegedly forced to sit in a dog crate while his family ate dinner because he was a picky eater The boy was rushed to Golden Valley Memorial Hospital on June where doctors discovered severe malnutrition critical heart issues and injuries to his face and back Now led by Henry County Sheriff s Office investigators have arrested both parents on multiple counts of child abuse and endangerment Credit ClintonNeighbor Key Facts EMERGING year old placed in dog crate during family dinner in Clinton MO IMPACT Child within days of fatal organ failure hospitalized OFFICIAL SOURCE very thin unable to communicate probable cause affidavit ACTION Call Childhelp Hotline if you suspect child abuse Hyperlocal Impact Precise Location Clinton MO near Golden Valley Memorial Hospital admission entrance Locality Connection It s heartbreaking how does a child get left to starve like this Jessica Holmes manager at Clinton Family Restaurant Harrowed neighbors statement hearing little boy crying late into the night before his hospitalization a chilling contrast to the normalcy just blocks away at local stores and playgrounds Beyond the dog crate atrocity hospital staff documented bruises on the boy s face and back His mother admitted to slapping and punching him in frustration during a tantrum His weight had hardly changed between age and growing from to just pounds less than half the normal weight of a peer A timeline shows his weight dipped further after his parents removed supplemental formula Doctors diagnosed malnutrition-induced Refeeding Syndrome with severe electrolyte imbalance and heart failure peril Patricia Siercks and Joshua Gusman now face multiple felony charges abuse of a child endangering welfare and punishment causing bodily harm With both held without bond in Henry County Jail they could face decades in prison if convicted Sole Angle WHY THIS MATTERS NOW This event spotlights a hidden form of domestic cruelty picky eating as cover for systematic starvation which local advocates say could be more widespread than realized Update Log July AM Arrests substantiated charges filed for both parents July PM Hospital issues child welfare alert to officers This heartbreaking story continues to unfold Stay tuned for trial updates and district reaction to this dilemma in Clinton s heart