Absentee father, abusive mother and their 76-pound, 16-yr old son

Mom pleads not guilty in starvation of 16-year-old
Kimberly Dick, Advocate, Newark, Sept. 26, 2006, pg. A1.

NEWARK -- While a Newark woman said she isn't guilty of child endangering, even a neighbor noticed how thin her 16-year-old son looked.

Mildred N. McMannis, 40, entered pleas of not guilty to two counts of felony child endangering and one count of misdemeanor domestic violence. She is accused of starving and beating her mentally handicapped son.

Her bond was increased to $500,000 from the $150,000 set at Municipal Court, said Licking

County Assistant Prosecutor Dan Huston.

While McMannis says her son's diet was to prevent him from becoming diabetic, her other children claim McMannis fed the teen differently for discipline, according to court documents.

"Ever seen a picture of a starving Ethiopian kid or someone in a concentration camp?" asked the teen's father, Darrell Faller. "That's how he looked."

McMannis allegedly admitted to striking the boy for refusing to clean the floor after urinating in his pants, according to court documents. Faller said McMannis had the teen convinced her treatment of him was his fault, that he was being punished for his actions.

Faller said several thoughts ran through his mind when he found out the son he hasn't lived with for about 15 years had been abused and neglected. "It felt like someone kicked me in the groin," he said. "I don't known how to put it. My first concern was if he was all right, then what went through her mind and what she was capable of doing."

A neighbor who requested to be anonymous told NBC4 she tried to get the boy help twice in the past six months. "I noticed him out in the yard. He was awfully thin," the neighbor said.

The teen was 76 pounds when Newark school officials notified Children's Services. He has gained at least 20 pounds since then, and Licking County Assistant Prosecutor Melinda Seeds said he is doing well in foster care.

Faller last saw his son right after McMannis took him out of school last year after teachers reportedly inquired about his health. Faller said he is excited about seeing his son Friday.

McMannis is still in the county jail. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Oct. 18.