Sophia Brito, age 6 (pictured right; also spelled Sofia), was beaten by her parents, Shana Pedroso (pictured left) and Marvin Brito, resulting in her death. Sophia and her 9-year-old brother J.B. were homeschooled. Brito had a history of violent criminal charges dating back to 1997. Neighbors said the family kept to themselves and the children were rarely seen. J.B. attended… Read more »
David Alfonso ‘Davie’ Martinez, age 8, died of malnutrition and medical neglect. A criminal investigation is ongoing. Davie was homeschooled. Davie lived with his mother, Rachell Martinez, and his stepfather Steven Zahara. Davie had four siblings. He died from complications of an infection caused by malnutrition and neglect. Date: September 7, 2014 Location: Lowell, Massachusetts
Fourteen children were physically abused and medically neglected in The Body, a cultlike organization controlled by their grandfather, Roland Robidoux, and his son Jacques Robidoux. When they were rescued, the victims included: 4 children of Jacques and Karen Robidoux; 5 children (ages 3 to 10) of Dennis and Michelle (Robidoux) Mingo; 4 daughters of David and Rebecca (Robidoux) Corneau; and… Read more »
Judah Cobble, age 12, was repeatedly spanked with a belt by his father, Donald Cobble, a minister at the Christian Teaching and Worship Center. Judah’s teachers reported suspected abuse to social services, who found that there was substantial risk to Judah, who had ADD and “arthrogryposis, a congenital muscle condition which require[d] him to wear braces on his back and… Read more »
Patrick McMullen raped his daughters, beat his wife and sons, and isolated his family in a converted nightclub with an eight-foot double fence from 1995 to 2001. Patrick, who was active in the John Birch Society, covered the windows with dark cloth and held his family hostage, confining them in what media described as a cult-like atmosphere. There were six… Read more »
