Charges have been filed against two individuals in Eau Claire County following reports from teachers in the Eau Claire Area School District about four siblings who were malnourished and exhibiting severe food insecurity.
Toni Hammonds, 31, and Mary Oram, 27, face charges of four counts each for chronic neglect and causing mental harm to a child. Oram faces four felony charges related to child abuse.
Oram said that he is a male and chooses to be called Bentley.
The criminal complaint states that the ages of the children are 12, 10, 7, and 5 years old.
Officials were informed by district staff that the children frequently expressed hunger and a desire for snacks. An employee recounted an incident where a 7-year-old was eating so quickly that he began to choke, necessitating the Heimlich maneuver to assist him. As he struggled to breathe, his primary worry was that they might remove the food from him.
The kids informed officials that they received minimal food while at home. They mentioned feeling hungry constantly and never experiencing fullness at home.
A victim reported that the four individuals were provided with just one Gatorade bottle of water to share each day. They mentioned that they couldn’t bring in food or snacks due to the presence of a camera in the house.
Image of an empty classroom; Credit: Civic Media
A victim reported to the police that he was intercepted while carrying a package of Oreos home from school. Oram and Hammonds suspended him from school for a week as a consequence.
The victims reported that Oram would strike them with his fists, a belt, or shoes, frequently leaving bruises behind.
During police questioning, Hammonds refuted claims of any food limitations but mentioned that the children used to be larger and that “they began to reduce their intake.” Authorities observed that the cabinets and fridge were stocked with food.
All four children required medical attention due to malnutrition during their evaluation.
On Tuesday, a cash bond of $5,000 was established for Oram, while Hammonds received a cash bond of $2,500. Contact with minors was prohibited for them.
Their next court appearance is scheduled for December.
