Oakland County, MI – A Pontiac couple is facing life-sentence felonies after investigators say two boys in their care were found severely malnourished this month, sparking one of Oakland County’s most disturbing child abuse cases in years.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were alerted on Nov. 17 after hospital staff began treating a 9-year-old boy who arrived severely underweight, bruised, and in full CPR. The child weighed just 33 pounds — roughly 30 to 40 pounds below normal for his age. Deputies say the boy had no pulse when they arrived and had to be intubated before being airlifted to a specialized facility.
As detectives began investigating, they discovered an 11-year-old sibling inside the home who weighed only 43 pounds. That child was also hospitalized. Both boys are now reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities say the children had previously been enrolled in Pontiac schools, where they ate regular meals, but were withdrawn in September. According to detectives, the father allegedly told school officials the family was preparing to move out of state. After leaving school, investigators said the boys’ diet was reduced mainly to occasional servings of rice.
Deputies also reported that the boys were confined to a bedroom with screwed-shut windows coated in paint to block visibility.
Two younger children — a 1-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl — were also living in the home but appeared healthy. They were removed by Child Protective Services on Friday. Termination proceedings are now underway.
Arturo Bazan-Perez, 43, and his wife, Dulce Crystal Bazan Castillo, 42, are each charged with multiple counts of first-degree child abuse and child torture. Both are being held without bond at the Oakland County Jail.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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