Oklahoma County deputies arrested two parents on Monday after their 21-month-old daughter, who has cerebral palsy and relies on a feeding tube, was found severely underweight and suffering from a large pressure wound. Court records state the child needed immediate hospital care, and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services removed three children from the home. Both parents later posted bond and remain under investigation on a complaint of child neglect.
Authorities arrested 27-year-old Alexis Kyle and 32-year-old Coty Teague after court documents said the toddler weighed just 12 pounds when she was taken to a hospital in March and was later found with a severe pressure wound on her buttocks. Records show the child weighed 14 pounds during a December visit to Bethany Children’s Hospital to establish care and had lost roughly 2.5 pounds over three months. The Department of Human Services took custody of the siblings while investigators reviewed the case, as reported by KFOR.
Court filings and interviews cited in reporting indicate the girl uses a feeding tube and showed signs of severe malnutrition. The parents reportedly told police they "drink alcohol heavily daily" and smoke marijuana. Joe Dorman, CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, told reporters that "abuse and neglect rates are on the increase and people need to keep a watchful eye," a warning that echoes advocates' calls for stronger supports for vulnerable families. Prosecutors have filed a complaint of child neglect and the couple are scheduled to appear in Oklahoma County court. Further legal action will depend on the district attorney's review, as reported by KFOR.
Advocates Say Medical Needs Can Mask Neglect
Child-welfare advocates note that children with chronic medical conditions can appear stable even as lapses in care quietly pile up, which is why routine checks and stronger social supports are considered crucial. The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy outlines policy priorities for at-risk children on its website, and Dorman has pushed for better outreach and monitoring for families managing high medical needs.
What Happens Next
Kyle and Teague face a criminal investigation and are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Prosecutors will determine whether to file formal charges. Anyone with information about this case or concerns about a child’s welfare can contact the Oklahoma Department of Human Services' child-abuse hotline at 1-800-522-3511 or visit the agency's reporting pages for guidance via OKDHS.
