A mother from Missouri has been taken into custody following allegations of neglect and abuse towards her two-year-old son, who reportedly appeared severely malnourished and in distress, as described by law enforcement officials.
Alyssa Nicole Bowman, 29, has received a nine-year prison sentence in Greene County, Missouri, following accusations of starving and injuring her child. Alyssa and her husband faced arrest, facing serious allegations of child abuse and neglect, along with first-degree endangerment of a child’s welfare.
Authorities took the couple into custody in May after a family member brought their toddler, who showed clear signs of malnutrition and injuries, to the emergency department.
A family member who rescued the young boy stated they hadn’t seen him in quite some time, and when they visited his home, they discovered his troubling condition. During that period, his parents arranged for him and his older sister to visit a relative from their father’s side.
Reports indicate that the boy showed signs of malnutrition and illness, characterized by sagging skin and an almost complete absence of body fat. The boy of the victim had numerous scrapes and bruises, particularly on his forehead.
The officer stated that the boy appeared extremely frail, requiring help to remain upright and that his pelvic bones were visible from all perspectives. A report from the Daily Citizen reveals that the boy was found to weigh only 20 pounds when he received medical attention at the hospital.
During the plea hearing, prosecutors asserted that the child had been diagnosed with acute kidney injury, developmental delays associated with abuse, a nonverbal developmental disorder, and failure to thrive. Prosecuting Attorney Elizabeth Fax informed the judge: “He was also diagnosed as a victim of torture.”
On Friday morning, the mother, Alyssa, entered a guilty plea to two charges related to child abuse and neglect. Initially facing multiple charges, she reached an agreement with prosecutors who decided to dismiss four extra counts of child abuse and neglect, along with two counts of child endangerment, in return for her plea. Joshua Bowman, the father of the victim, is scheduled for a hearing in December.