COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A Colorado Springs couple has plead guilty in a child abuse case involving their 14-year-old son found severely malnourished.
Tonya and Bryan Ricks admitted to child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury and failure to provide medical attention.
Based on the affidavit, the investigation into the welfare of the Ricks' six children has been going on for years while the family lived on the 4300 block of Chestnut Street.
According to the District Attorney's Office, one of the six children in the Ricks' home was found severely malnourished. The 14-year-old boy weighed 52.3 pounds, about the average weight of a 7-year-old. The Ricks' son was also not receiving medication for a seizure disorder. He was taken to Memorial Hospital, then moved to Children's Hospital in Aurora, Colo. for further treatment. He is currently being cared for in a foster home.
Documents show back in 2005 the Ricks' pulled their children from public school and failed to provide an adequate education. Then, five years later the Crimes Against Children Unit executed a search warrant. The detective working the case explains that neither of the two bathrooms in the home contain routine items like toilet paper, wash cloths or shampoo. The refrigerator was also dirty and had uncovered containers of food.
The detective said the best way to describe the kitchen would be "an illusion" because although the floor, counter and sink appeared to be picked up and clean, this was a clear contradiction to the inside of various cabinets.
Tonya and Bryan are expected to be sentenced to 10-32 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 23.
The Ricks' have six children including the 14-year-old, all of which require medical and dental care, as well as therapy.
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