WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — A couple from West Valley City has been charged with child torture after their 5-year-old daughter was found severely underweight and suffering from signs of long-term malnutrition, according to newly filed court documents.
Authorities say the child, identified in documents as “R.C.”, weighed roughly the same as an 18-month-old when she was hospitalized for failure to gain weight. Medical professionals later discovered her heart rate was dangerously low, prompting her immediate admission for intensive care.
The girl’s biological father and stepmother were arrested Monday on one count each of child torture. Their names are being withheld to protect the child’s identity.
Court documents reveal shocking details about the conditions inside the family’s one-bedroom apartment, where R.C. lived with her father, stepmother, and two other children. Investigators reported that the child was forced to sleep on the floor, and her father had placed locks on the refrigerator, freezer, pantry, and even the trash cans to prevent her from accessing food.
When questioned, the father claimed the locks were meant to stop R.C. from “stealing food” and eating frozen or discarded items. He insisted that she was given adult-sized portions but continued to sneak food, a claim that investigators say does not align with medical findings.
At the hospital, doctors noted signs of refeeding syndrome — a condition that occurs when malnourished individuals begin eating again — indicating that R.C. had been deprived of proper nutrition for an extended period. She also exhibited developmental delays, struggled to form full sentences, and appeared significantly behind in basic communication and social skills.
During her hospital stay, specialists with Safe and Healthy Families observed that while R.C. initially hid food, she gradually began to eat normally and even shared meals with others. Under medical supervision, she responded well to a normal toddler diet and began gaining weight steadily.
Following the investigation, the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) removed R.C. from her home and placed her in foster care. Since then, officials say she has shown remarkable improvement — beginning to speak more clearly, gain weight, and show positive signs of emotional and developmental growth.
Investigators reported that R.C. has not displayed the “overeating” behavior her guardians had described, further suggesting neglect and mistreatment at home.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities say additional charges could be filed as they continue reviewing evidence.
