WEST CHESTER, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A West Chester couple has been charged with severe child neglect toward their teenage son.
Leticia Cox and her husband Mark Cox have been accused of failing to get medical care for their 16-year-old son, who officials said was severely underweight and had severe tooth decay.
The District Attorney's Office of Chester County said a Childline report in April indicated the boy was being neglected. Law enforcement and child protective services urged the 59-year-old parents to get him immediate medical care.
According to officials, the child was on the brink of death. He is 5-foot-4 and weighed about 75 pounds.
Authorities said the investigation revealed the child was covered by insurance and that there was no indication the boy had ever seen a doctor or dentist before.
According to the district attorney's office, the child was home schooled and had little to no contact with adults outside of the family.
Both parents have been charged with endangering the welfare of children, though Leticia Cox has also been charged with aggravated assault and tampering with evidence.