Nigerian parents arrested in US after son dies during 40-day fast
It was gathered that 49-year-old Kehinde and 48-year-old Titilayo were both charged with child neglect causing death and child neglect causing great bodily harm. The parents had directed their children to observe a religious fast.
Their teenage son reportedly starved to death and his brother became severely emaciated. According to the Wisonsin State Journal, both charges are regarded as felonies which carries a combined sentence of 37 years in prison.
The deceased teenage boy's father had reportedly walked to the Reedsburg police station on Sunday, September 2, to report his 15-year-old son's death. According to police chief Timothy Becker, the 15-year-old was found dead with his 11-year-old brother emaciated after the police arrived at the scene.
He also revealed that the woman was emaciated too. Becker noted that the father of the dead teenager had claimed that he was a minister affiliated with Cornerstone Reformation Ministries. He also revealed that the family had started a religious fast on July 19.
However, investigators do not believe that Kehinde is a minister at any church, they also believe he made the name up. He said: "There's no IRS number, no corporation. The residence had no phone, no power, no food. There was a gym bag in the garage with some clothes in it. That was it, with the exception of a tambourine that was found."
Meanwhile, the assistant district attorney also revealed that Kehinde had claimed that he was planning to move his family to Atlanta. He claimed to have sold the belongings.
It was gathered that the 11-year-old and his mother were also taken to the hospital but the woman refused to be treated due to religious reasons. Titilayo was then taken to the Sauk County Jail. The 11-year-old is currently in protective custody at Children's Hospital in Madison.
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