Pennsylvania couple accused of child abuse after malnourished teen found 'nearly naked' in freezing cold

A Pennsylvania couple are accused of heinous child abuse after a malnourished and "nearly naked" 15-year-old was found wandering around in the freezing cold.

Joshua Dechant, 38, and Tracy Dechant, 42, were charged with two felony counts of Endangering the Welfare of Children and arraigned on $75k bail each. 

It's alleged that the Dechants subjected twin 15-year-old boys to wicked abuse, including depriving the teens of water and making them walk around naked.

What we know:

Prosecutors say Pennsylvania State Police were called to Divot Drive after a neighbor reported a scantly clothed 15-year-old wandering around the neighborhood.

The malnourished and "nearly naked" teen sought help from a neighbor, who told police that once he let the teen inside he "would not stop eating."

It was later learned that the teen's stepfather, Joshua Dechant, forced the teen out of the house into below-freezing temperatures as a form of punishment. 

Investigators said the teen suffered inhumane conditions for about 20 minutes and his feet were red from having to walk barefoot through the snow.

It's alleged that Joshua and Tracy Dechant, the victim's mother, inflicted wicked and humiliating forms of child abuse on the 15-year-old and his twin brother. 

Prosecutors say the abuse included depriving the twins of food and water, forcing them to walk around the house naked, and sleeping on the floor with one blanket.

According to investigators, the teens weighed just 53 and 55 lbs at the time of the incident. A medical professional said the boys should weigh around 140 lbs.

A review of the boys' medical records showed they gained only 10 lbs over the last eight years.

Investigators say other children who were inside the home were taken into custody by police and will be cared for by family members.

What's next:

Joshua and Tray Dechant were charged with two felony counts of child abuse and remain in Lehigh County Jail under $75,000 bail. 

They are due back in court in February.

Lehigh CountyCrime & Public SafetyNews