Ohio – In a shocking case out of Ohio, a 52-year-old foster mother, identified as K. Lewis, has been accused of starving and neglecting her 9-year-old foster son so severely that he resorted to eating leftover food from a garbage can and drinking dirty water to survive. The woman, identified as Kelly Lewis of Cheviot, was arrested and charged with felony child endangering, a crime prosecutors say reflects a “severe violation of trust.”
Authorities allege that between April and August of this year, Lewis allowed the child, who has autism and is nonverbal, to waste away inside her home while she claimed she was following a nutritional plan. The abuse came to light after school staff noticed the boy’s alarming condition and alerted family services. Investigators say that when they began looking into the reports, they found the boy had lost approximately 14% of his body weight in just a few months. His physical state was so dire that he required a 26-day hospital stay to recover from malnutrition and dehydration. According to prosecutors, the child’s desperate behavior revealed the depth of his neglect—at times, he was seen rummaging through a garbage can for food and even drinking dishwater when no clean water or proper meals were provided.
“The charge represents a severe violation of trust,” Assistant Prosecutor D. Hickenlooper said, emphasizing that foster parents hold a special responsibility to care for children who are already vulnerable. Detectives also noted that school staff were the first to intervene, reporting that the boy appeared frail and withdrawn. Their alert likely saved his life, triggering the investigation that led to Lewis’ arrest.
Lewis was taken into custody on Wednesday morning and later appeared before Judge B. Bouchard in the County Municipal Court. The judge set her bond at $50,000, ordering that if she posts it, she must wear an ankle monitor and have no contact with anyone under 18, including the victim. “Stay away from that kid,” Judge Bouchard told Lewis during her arraignment.
Lewis, who has been a licensed foster parent since 2007, reportedly lives with two other adopted children, ages 9 and 14. Her attorney defended her client by claiming Lewis had been following the advice of a nutritionist and feeding the boy “specific protein shakes.” The attorney also noted that the child had complex medical issues, including seizures. However, prosecutors argued that regardless of any medical conditions, the child’s drastic weight loss and the fact that he was caught drinking dirty water pointed to severe neglect.
Lewis was released from the county jail after posting bond and will remain under electronic monitoring as she awaits trial. Her next court appearance is scheduled for November 17, where prosecutors are expected to present further medical records and witness testimony. Authorities have not yet released an update on the boy’s current condition but confirmed that he is in protective care and receiving ongoing medical treatment.
The allegations have sparked outrage across the state, with residents expressing disbelief that a foster mother—someone entrusted to care for children in need—could allow such suffering under her roof. Prosecutors emphasized that foster parents are subject to regular visits and oversight, raising questions about how such extreme malnutrition went unnoticed for so long. As the case moves forward, the community awaits justice for the young boy who endured months of hunger and neglect behind closed doors. For now, Lewis stands accused of betraying the trust placed in her by both the state and a child who depended on her for survival—while investigators continue to uncover the full extent of what happened inside her home.
