A disturbing case from Florida has left many people shocked and heartbroken after a young couple was arrested while their 5‑month‑old twins fight to recover from severe malnutrition in hospital. Police say the babies were brought in only after one of them became unresponsive, and what doctors discovered raised serious red flags about neglect and care at home.
What happened in this Florida child neglect case
Leroy Somersall III, 24, and Madison Smith, 23, are now behind bars after being charged with child neglect with great bodily harm. The couple took their 5‑month‑old twins, a boy and a girl, to the hospital on January 6. According to reports, Child Protective Services had already received a tip through its hotline about the babies’ condition and alerted the police.
When detectives from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office reached the hospital, medical staff shared alarming details. The baby boy was described as being so dehydrated and malnourished that “you can see every bone in his body.” Doctors also confirmed that both infants were suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition.
Shocking weight details revealed by doctors
Court documents obtained by local media revealed that both babies weighed just 5.7 pounds at five months old. This is especially concerning because the baby girl reportedly weighed more than that when she was born. Both children were born about a month premature, which already made their health more fragile and required careful monitoring and feeding.
Medical experts generally stress that premature babies need consistent nutrition and regular paediatric check-ups to ensure healthy growth. In this case, the weight figures strongly suggested prolonged underfeeding rather than a sudden health issue.
What the parents told police
Madison Smith told officers that they only brought the twins to the hospital after they noticed the baby boy had become unresponsive. When questioned about feeding routines, Smith said their paediatrician had earlier recommended increasing the babies’ formula intake to around 70 to 80 millilitres every two hours.
However, Smith admitted that she had not spoken to the paediatrician since September 2025, when the twins were still newborns. Both parents claimed they did not realise that feeding amounts needed to increase as babies grow. They also tried to justify the twins’ extremely low weight by saying Somersall himself is thin, so they believed the babies were naturally thin too.
These explanations did not convince investigators, especially after what they found next.
What police found inside the family’s RV
The family was reportedly living in an RV. When investigators searched the space, they said they found no evidence of baby formula at all. For officers, this discovery further supported concerns that the twins were not being properly fed over a long period.
This detail played a major role in the decision to arrest both parents. Authorities believe the situation went far beyond simple misunderstanding and crossed into serious neglect.
Legal action and current condition of the twins
Somersall and Smith have both been formally charged with child neglect with great bodily harm. They are currently being held at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, each on a bond of $100,000. Their next court appearance is scheduled for March 3.
There is some relief in the update provided by police: both babies are expected to survive, and doctors say their condition has improved since being admitted to hospital. However, officials have also warned that the twins may have suffered neurological damage due to prolonged malnutrition, which could affect their development in the future.
Why this case has sparked wider concern
Cases like this often trigger conversations about parenting support, mental health, education around infant care, and the role of early intervention. While the legal process will decide the couple’s fate, the priority now remains the long-term health and safety of the two children.
This incident also highlights how important it is for parents to attend regular medical check-ups, seek guidance when unsure, and ensure infants receive proper nutrition. Early warning signs, if ignored, can quickly become life-threatening.
Timeline of key events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 2025 | Last reported paediatric visit for the twins |
| January 6, 2026 | Twins brought to hospital after boy became unresponsive |
| Same day | CPS tip received and police notified |
| Following investigation | Parents arrested and charged |
| Ongoing | Babies recovering in hospital |
