Dashja L. Turner, a 35-year-old mother from Racine, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of child neglect causing great bodily harm. Her children, aged between 14 months to 14 years, were found severely malnourished and neglected, prompting a welfare check by authorities in July 2023.
The Neglect: Children Found Severely Malnourished
The incident began when Turner’s landlord became concerned about the well-being of her five children and called authorities to perform a welfare check at the family’s home on 11th Street in Racine, located about 30 miles southeast of Milwaukee. When officers arrived at the home, they found the children living in deplorable conditions.
According to the criminal complaint, police officers entered the home and discovered that the children had been living in an unfinished basement with no food and no bathroom.
The only window in the basement was covered by purple paint. Four of the children were sleeping on a single twin air mattress, while the fifth child was in a separate room.
The children were described as being frail, lethargic, and unkempt. Their physical condition was alarming, with some of them being in the .01 percentile for the weight they should have been at their ages, indicating extreme malnutrition.
The Mother’s Sentence and Plea Agreement
Turner faced five counts of child neglect, one for each of her children, but as part of a plea agreement, she pleaded guilty to three counts. Two of the charges were dropped, and Turner was sentenced to six years in prison. Upon release, she will be on probation for nine years.
Brooke Erickson, the assistant district attorney, called the situation a clear case of neglect and abuse, describing the children’s condition as “complete neglect” with no food and children in the most severe state of malnutrition. Turner’s case is a chilling reminder of how the most vulnerable can suffer due to the actions of those meant to care for them.
Abusive Behavior and Charges Against Turner’s Partner
In addition to Turner’s charges, her partner, Laquan Russell, a 34-year-old man who lived with Turner, was also involved. He has been charged with three counts of child abuse and two counts of child neglect.
His case is still ongoing, but reports from the police say that one of the children showed signs of physical abuse, including being whipped with a belt by Russell.
The tragic condition of the children and the abusive behavior of both Turner and Russell has led to public outrage and emotional responses from the children’s fathers.
Reactions from the Fathers
The fathers of two of the children spoke to local media outlets about the emotional toll the situation has taken on them. Rickie Stevens, the father of two of the children, expressed his pain, saying:
“It hurts very badly because I’m begging, texting you every holiday, every birthday, like ‘Can I have my son?’ ‘Where are you?’ Get ignored.”
Another father, whose 14-year-old daughter weighed only 54 pounds, said:
“That f—ing hurt. Yeah, it’s painful.”
These statements highlight the profound emotional damage caused by Turner’s neglect and the years of separation and suffering endured by both the children and their fathers.
A Community Reeling from the Incident
This case has shocked the Racine community, as it sheds light on the severity of child neglect and abuse. The impact on the children is immeasurable, with their lives marked by trauma and deprivation. While Turner faces justice, the question remains: how do we prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future?