A Freeport mother and father are facing felony charges after prosecutors say their 3-year-old daughter arrived at a hospital so malnourished and injured that doctors found third-degree burns, scars, lacerations and bruises in various stages of healing. The girl was first treated at Nassau University Medical Center and later transferred to Stony Brook University Hospital. Her parents, 27-year-old Hanchelove Decius and 28-year-old Evenson Francois, were arraigned this week and pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors' account
According to a press release from the Nassau County DA, the indictment alleges that the abuse began around October 2024 and continued for months. Prosecutors say that on June 8, 2025, while the child was in the care of her mother, she was scalded with a burning hot liquid that left third-degree burns across her chest and lower body.
Medical staff later described the girl as emaciated, with an appearance that evaluators said was consistent with being denied the basic nourishment needed to survive, according to the Nassau County DA. The press release outlines multiple injuries in differing stages of healing, suggesting to prosecutors that the harm had taken place over a stretch of time rather than in a single incident.
Francois was arrested on April 10 by the Nassau County Police Department’s Special Victims Squad, and Decius was taken into custody three days later, as reported by News 12 Long Island. Both were arraigned before Judge Joy Watson, remanded into custody and entered not-guilty pleas. They are scheduled to return to court on April 24, and prosecutors say the matter is being handled by the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau.
Who's handling the case
The Nassau County DA states that Senior Assistant District Attorney Gabriella Malfi of the Special Victims Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Bureau Chief Emma Slane. The release also identifies the defense teams: Decius is represented by attorney Joe LoPiccolo, Esq., while Francois is represented by the Legal Aid Society.
Prosecutors emphasize in the press release that the charges are accusations only and that both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. At the same time, they detail injuries they say were found on the child, including wounds that appeared to be in different stages of healing and some that allegedly went untreated, such as an open laceration on the girl’s right eyebrow and chin.
Legal implications
The couple has been indicted on Assault in the First Degree, a B violent felony, and faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison if convicted, according to reporting by News 12 Long Island. Because the allegations involve felony-level physical abuse of a young child, prosecutors say they intend to pursue the case aggressively. The next scheduled court date is April 24 in Nassau County Court.
Officials say the girl is currently receiving medical care and, with treatment, is recovering from the injuries outlined in the indictment. As the case moves forward, investigators and the District Attorney’s office are expected to continue presenting evidence in support of the charges described in the DA’s press release.
.jpg){kind=link}