Couple starved 5 kids despite kitchen being 'stocked with nutritious food,' instructed them to 'lie to the DCF investigator': Police

A 37-year-old Florida man and his 33-year-old partner allegedly left five children so severely underweight that one weighed only 44 pounds, authorities say, even though investigators found the family's kitchen stocked with food.

Anthony Jones and Erica A. Bryant were taken into custody Saturday and charged with five counts each of child neglect without great bodily harm after doctors at Wolfson Children's Hospital determined all of the children were underweight for their ages, court records show.

According to a Duval County Sheriff's Office probable cause affidavit, the investigation began about 9:58 p.m. July 18, when Jacksonville officers responded to assist the Florida Department of Children and Families after one child was taken to Wolfson Children's Hospital at the recommendation of a primary care physician. The child's condition prompted hospital staff to contact DCF, the affidavit states.

When officers arrived at the family's home, they found four additional children inside, all of whom were apparently in dire need of medical assistance.

"It should be noted that when I entered the apartment, I observed 4 juveniles that were extremely thin in stature," the arrest affidavit states. "All were extremely hesitant to speak to any other adults present. [One child] looked extremely malnourished and I visibly observed boney prominence."

The remaining children were taken to Wolfson Children's Hospital for medical evaluations while crime scene detectives documented both the home and the children's conditions, according to the affidavit.

One emergency room nurse told investigators one child said he "had not eaten at all today" and claimed he "was instructed" to "lie to the DCF investigator," police wrote. The same child initially said a scar on his forearm came from running at his old apartment before later saying Bryant had tried "to cut his arm."

Doctors documented numerous injuries in addition to what they described as "severe malnourishment."

According to the affidavit, one child was "extremely underweight," weighed just 44 pounds, had unexplained marks on his back, bruising on his ankle and side, and was "not receiving enough nutrition." Another child weighed 75 pounds and had bruising to the rib cage. A third weighed 61 pounds and had open wounds on both earlobes, while a fourth weighed 63 pounds and had a circumferential abrasion on the wrist and a scar on the forearm.

The examining physician told investigators all four children were underweight for their ages and required complete medical evaluations.

A second physician treating the child initially admitted to the hospital said the child was "severely malnourished" and believed the child's condition was caused by inadequate nutrition, though additional testing was still underway.

Investigators said Jones could not explain why the children were malnourished.

During questioning, Jones admitted the children "had not been fed today," according to the affidavit. He told investigators the children woke up around 1 p.m. and, by the time officers arrived nearly nine hours later, he had been waiting for the DCF investigator to arrive before feeding them because he "did not want to start making food until after the meeting due to not wanting someone in the house while the children were eating."

When asked when groceries had last been purchased, Jones reportedly said the first week of July. Investigators also wrote that he "continually tried to avoid answering questions."

The explanation appeared to conflict with what officers found inside the apartment.

"It should be noted that the kitchen was stocked with nutritious food such as deli meat, bread, and frozen food," the affidavit states.

Investigators also observed that the floor "was visibly wet and slippery as it appeared to have just been cleaned prior to arrival," with a mop sitting near the kitchen entryway.

Bryant, who had remained at the hospital with the child initially admitted for unexplained seizures, told investigators Jones had been responsible for cooking for the family for the previous three years. She also said the children could have snacks only after dinner and that while they were asked whether they were hungry, "she would not force them to eat," according to the affidavit.

Based on medical findings, DCF's investigation, and officers' observations, detectives concluded there was probable cause to charge both Jones and Bryant with child neglect for allegedly failing to provide "food, nutrition, medicine, and medical services that a prudent person would consider essential for the well-being of the child."

Jones and Bryant are being held in the Duval County Jail on $125,000 bond. They are scheduled to return to court on Aug. 11 for arraignment hearings.