A Wisconsin girl was discovered hiding inside a neighbor's garbage can after running away from home, authorities say, revealing allegations that her foster parents forced her to exercise as punishment, starved her and delayed getting her medical treatment until she was critically ill.
Background
Aaron Rakowski, 46, and Melissa Rakowski, 41, were caring for the girl in Wood County when investigators say the abuse occurred. According to criminal complaints obtained by the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, the girl ran away from the couple's home two weeks before she was found. She had allegedly been subjected to extreme punishments including being forced to run laps up and down the driveway of their hilly property or perform jumping jacks as discipline.
When the child finally fled on May 15, a neighbor discovered her concealed in a garbage can. She was suffering from frostbite and hypothermia, according to authorities.
"She had kwashiorkor, a severe form of malnutrition caused by a lack of protein in the diet," investigators wrote in the complaints. "Doctors said the condition can cause skin problems, water retention, a bloated stomach, lethargy and constant crying or bad moods."
The Investigation
Medical personnel at Marshfield Children's Hospital told authorities that when the girl arrived at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit on May 15, she had only one-third of the blood volume she should have possessed and her body temperature had dropped to 84 degrees. Doctors also documented a large cut on her Achilles tendon, bruising across the bridge of her nose and around her eye, along with a nosebleed.
Investigators say Melissa Rakowski had spoken with medical staff just two days earlier about the girl's declining condition. Staff reportedly instructed her to bring the child to a hospital within 48 hours if she did not improve—but authorities allege no such medical attention was sought until the girl became lethargic and collapsed.
"The Rakowskis told investigators the girl would eat until her stomach became bloated and then she would vomit," according to the complaints. "The couple allegedly placed the girl on a restricted diet and often withheld food from her. When the child asked for more food, she was repeatedly told no."
A second child living in the home confirmed to investigators that the girl was frequently punished and neglected. That child said the couple would allegedly make the victim run 50 laps as discipline, then add another 25 laps if she did something they disapproved of while running. The girl told police sometimes she had to run all day.
Additional allegations include that authorities say Melissa Rakowski refused to give the girl clean clothes after she wet her bed during the night because she "did not want to keep doing laundry."
Key Takeaways
- Aaron and Melissa Rakowski, ages 46 and 41 respectively, have been charged with child neglect resulting in great bodily harm and causing mental harm to a child
- The girl was discovered hiding in a neighbor's garbage can after running away from the couple's home on May 15
- Medical staff at Marshfield Children's Hospital found she had only one-third of her blood volume, body temperature of 84 degrees, frostbite and kwashiorkor—a severe protein deficiency condition
- Investigators allege the girl was punished by being forced to run up to 75 laps on a hilly driveway or do jumping jacks; she also allegedly had to use stuffed animals as pillows
- The couple told investigators they placed the child on a restricted diet and often withheld food from her, according to the complaints
- Police say another child in the home confirmed the victim was frequently punished and neglected by the Rakowskis
What's Next
The Rakowskis are each facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted on both charges. Both were released on $5,000 cash bail following their initial appearance. They are scheduled to return to court on Aug. 19 for further proceedings before Judge Michael P. Bohn at the Wood County Courthouse.
The investigation was conducted by the Wood County Sheriff's Office with assistance from Marshfield Police Department.