Nebraska Woman Accused of Starving and Torturing 12-Year-Old Until He Weighed Just 47 Pounds and Nearly Froze to Death
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA — A Nebraska woman is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say she starved and tortured a 12-year-old boy in her care, leaving him so malnourished and hypothermic that doctors initially feared he would not survive more than a few days.
Angela Lowe, 47, has been charged with child abuse causing serious bodily injury, false imprisonment, and first-degree assault, according to law enforcement officials in Lancaster County. She is currently being held at the Lancaster County Department of Corrections on a $750,000 bond.
Child Found Severely Malnourished and Hypothermic
Police say Lowe brought the child — whom she had been the legal guardian of since he was six years old — to a Lincoln-area emergency room on January 12. Medical staff quickly became alarmed by the boy’s condition and contacted law enforcement, suspecting severe abuse and neglect.
According to investigators, the child was too weak to speak or lift himself, weighed just 47 pounds, and had a core body temperature of only 80 degrees Fahrenheit — a level considered life-threatening hypothermia. By comparison, a healthy 12-year-old boy typically weighs around 90 pounds and has a normal body temperature of approximately 97 degrees.
Doctors Say Child Was Near Death
The boy was airlifted to Children’s Nebraska pediatric hospital in Omaha, where doctors diagnosed him with septic shock and pneumonia. Investigators believe the child had been starved and tortured for months, not simply neglected.
Medical staff reportedly told authorities they did not expect the boy to survive more than a few days due to the severity of his condition. As of the latest update, however, the child remains alive in critical but stable condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities have not yet disclosed the precise nature of Lowe’s relationship to the child beyond her role as guardian, and investigators say the case remains active as they work to determine how long the alleged abuse occurred and whether others may have been aware of the situation.
Lowe is scheduled to return to court on March 4, where additional details may be revealed.
A Case Shaking the Community
The extreme nature of the child’s injuries has sparked outrage and concern across the community, with officials emphasizing that the case represents far more than neglect.
Law enforcement officials say they will continue to pursue the case aggressively to ensure accountability and justice for the child.
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