A Wisconsin stepmother has been sentenced to prison after authorities said her 15-year-old stepdaughter was severely malnourished and abused inside the family home.
Wisconsin Stepmother Sentenced in Child Neglect Case
Brittany Hull, 33, was sentenced to seven years in prison followed by four years of probation after pleading guilty to chronic neglect of a child causing great bodily harm.
Her husband and the girl’s father, Tristan Hull, previously pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to four years in prison.
Teen Girl Weighed Only 58 Pounds
According to investigators, emergency crews responded to the family’s home in October 2023 after the girl became unresponsive.
Authorities said the teenager was severely dehydrated and suffering from extreme malnutrition. Doctors found she weighed just 58 pounds and was at least 30 pounds underweight for her age.
Medical staff also discovered her organs were beginning to fail due to starvation and dehydration.
Girl Allegedly Denied Food and Water
The victim later told investigators she was treated differently from her siblings and was often denied snacks and meals.
Police said Brittany Hull limited the girl’s water intake and sometimes forced her to eat separately from the rest of the family.
Investigators also found locks on the girl’s bedroom doors and windows, along with surveillance cameras inside the room.
Surveillance Video Showed Punishment
According to the criminal complaint, surveillance footage showed the girl being forced to stand with her hands raised for hours while crying and shaking.
Investigators said both Brittany and Tristan Hull would enter the room and demand she keep her hands higher.
Authorities also spoke to the family’s pastor, who said the girl appeared to be starving and would quickly eat any snacks she was given at church.
The court also ordered Brittany Hull to avoid contact with the victim and complete parenting classes.
