A Wisconsin mother has pleaded guilty to child neglect charges in the death of her 4-year-old son, admitting she turned up music loud enough to drown out the boy's cries for help while his father allegedly continued a pattern of brutal abuse that would ultimately kill him.
Background
Charlotte Kurek, 31, entered her plea before Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jean A. M. Knois on Friday, pleading guilty to one count of child neglect with death and one count of chronic child neglect in the death of young Dante Campbell, court records show. The boy was found unresponsive outside a Dairy Queen restaurant in West Allis, Wisconsin — a Milwaukee suburb — last October after his parents failed to call 911 despite knowing something was terribly wrong.
According to criminal complaints filed against Kurek and her boyfriend Devario Cruz, the case represents what one law enforcement officer described as "the most extensive and severe injuries that I have witnessed on a child." The documents outline a months-long pattern of abuse that investigators say went unreported despite CPS involvement with the family.
Cruz woke around 7 a.m. on Oct. 18 and found Dante "stiff" in his bedroom, later telling authorities the boy had fallen down a flight of stairs the previous evening. When Cruz picked him up, he described the child as looking "unreal." The child's gums were "bone white," indicating to police he had been without oxygen for some time.
Rather than calling 911 immediately, Kurek and Cruz drove to a friend's house — leaving three children home alone — before finally contacting emergency services. While waiting near a West Allis Fire Department station, Cruz allegedly told first responders: "I killed my kid, I want to kill myself."
The Charges
Kurek is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 29 by Milwaukee County Circuit Court. She pleaded guilty to two felony counts of child neglect causing death, admitting she failed to protect Dante despite knowing Cruz was "heavy-handed" with the children.
Cruz, 31, remains in custody awaiting trial on more serious charges. He faces one count of first-degree reckless homicide, repeated acts of physical abuse of a child causing death, and repeated physical abuse of a child causing bodily harm, along with neglect-related charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 11.
When questioned by detectives about the severity of his actions, Cruz admitted on a scale of one to 10 — with 10 being "the hardest Defendant Cruz could possibly strike another human being" — that he hit Dante an "8 or 9." When shown photographs of the child's injuries, Cruz stated: "I only used my hands."
Investigators documented "substantial bruising" throughout Dante's body and noted his clothing reeked of urine. His twin sister was also found with visible injuries, including a bandage over her right eye. When asked about her wounds, she reportedly told an officer: "Daddy hurt me."
Key Takeaways
- Charlotte Kurek pleaded guilty to child neglect with death and chronic child neglect; sentencing scheduled for Sept. 29
- Devario Cruz remains jailed on first-degree reckless homicide charges; his trial is pending
- Investigators recovered more than a pound of marijuana from the family's home
- Child Protective Services had prior involvement with the family; Kurek reportedly had her CPS worker's number saved as "CPS b—" in her phone
- A former neighbor described hearing children crying during overnight hours when parents were absent, and reported seeing guns in the residence
What's Next
Kurek will be sentenced by Milwaukee County Circuit Court on Sept. 29, where prosecutors are expected to recommend a specific term of imprisonment. Meanwhile, Cruz's trial on homicide and child abuse charges is scheduled to proceed with his next court date set for Sept. 11. Dante's twin sister remains in the custody of family members, investigators said.