Bartow, FL – On Tuesday, August 25th, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd made a gut-wrenching announcement that left many people shocked and heartbroken. In his five decades of service as a law enforcement officer, Sheriff Judd described this case as the most “tragically and horrifically sad” one he has ever seen. The Bartow parents of a disabled three-year-old boy were arrested for allegedly allowing him to “rot and die in his bed.”
The mother, 21-year-old Merarys Lydia, and the father, 22-year-old Wilfredo Torres, were charged with aggravated manslaughter, neglect of a child leading to death, and child neglect with great bodily harm. According to Sheriff Judd, the parents’ inaction led to the untimely death of their son, who was severely disabled.
The investigation began on Monday when Lydia took her son to the Bartow Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. However, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the boy had died hours or even days before arriving at the hospital. The boy’s autopsy revealed that he had severe injuries to his feet, which were rotting. The injuries were so extensive that the child’s bones had become visible. In addition to his feet, the boy had bedsores, and his body was covered in filth and urine.
Sheriff Judd described the investigators’ visit to the family home as one of the most traumatic experiences of his career. The living conditions were deplorable, with the home infested with fleas and the air conditioning not working, leaving the house hot and humid. The child’s room did not have a crib or a bed, and according to Sheriff Judd, the investigators found a soiled blanket on the floor where the child had been left to lay.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the boy had several medical issues and was under the care of a healthcare professional. Nonetheless, the parents failed to seek medical help for their son whose physical state was visibly deteriorating.
Sheriff Judd did not mince his words when he spoke about this tragedy. He called out the parents for their lack of action, saying, “I say this without hesitation, this precious child would still be alive today if these two had done their jobs as parents.” He went on to say that he was disgusted and could not fathom how anyone could let this happen to a child.
This case has shaken the Bartow community and brought to light the importance of reporting child neglect and abuse. There are resources available for individuals who suspect child abuse and neglect, including the National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD) and the Florida Abuse Hotline (1-800-962-2873).
In conclusion, this tragedy has left a mark on the Bartow community and beyond. No child should have to suffer in silence, and it is our responsibility as a community to speak up and report any signs of abuse or neglect. We mourn the loss of this innocent child and hope that justice is served.