Wisconsin Couple Accused of Years of Abuse and Starvation Against Six Children
A Wisconsin community is grappling with deeply disturbing allegations after a Crawford County couple was charged with systematically abusing and starving their six children over a period of several years. According to court records and local reporting, the children were allegedly subjected to brutal physical punishment, extreme neglect, and living conditions so dire that they resorted to eating mold, insects, grass, and even dog food to survive.
The case has prompted renewed scrutiny of how such horrific treatment could allegedly continue for years before authorities intervened. It also serves as a painful reminder of the vital role neighbors, educators, and local officials play in identifying and reporting signs of child abuse.
The Charges Filed in Crawford County
Casey Cano, 38, and Mary Cano, 35, were arrested and charged in Crawford County, Wisconsin. Each faces six counts of repeated physical abuse of a child causing great bodily harm and six counts of child neglect. Additionally, one count alleges that a child under the age of 13 was forced to view or listen to a sex act.
Under Wisconsin Statute Chapter 948, which governs crimes against children, repeated physical abuse that results in significant bodily harm carries serious felony-level consequences. Prosecutors have indicated that the alleged conduct spanned from January 2018 through April 2022.
Court documents reportedly outline years of escalating physical and emotional torment carried out inside the family’s home. If proven, the charges represent one of the more severe prolonged abuse cases in recent Wisconsin history.
Allegations of Systematic Beatings
According to the criminal complaints, the children were routinely beaten with belts. Prosecutors allege these beatings caused welts, bruising, and bleeding. Even more troubling, the abuse allegedly began when some of the children were infants—just three months old.
Repeated physical abuse charges under Wisconsin law are not filed lightly. Prosecutors must demonstrate ongoing conduct that results in significant bodily harm. The documentation in this case reportedly describes a pattern of violence extending over four years.
The alleged beatings were described by the children as not isolated incidents, but as frequent occurrences—often tied to perceived misbehavior or used as forms of punishment.
Starvation as Punishment
Perhaps the most horrifying aspect of the case involves the alleged deprivation of food. Authorities claim the children were intentionally denied meals, sometimes for several consecutive days.
Criminal complaints reportedly state that extreme hunger pushed the children to consume:
- Moldy food
- Bugs and insects
- Dog food
- Grass found outdoors
Starvation as a disciplinary tactic is classified as neglect and abuse under both state and federal child welfare standards. The Child Welfare Information Gateway, operated by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, identifies withholding food as a serious form of physical neglect that can result in lifelong developmental damage.
Malnutrition during early childhood can impair brain development, weaken immune systems, and cause permanent physical stunting. Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have documented the long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect, including increased risks of chronic illness, mental health disorders, and substance abuse later in life.
Degrading and Inhumane Conditions
Beyond starvation and beatings, investigators say they uncovered additional allegations of degrading treatment. One child reportedly told authorities that a sibling was forced to wear the same diaper for three days as a form of punishment.
Such alleged conduct reflects not only physical cruelty, but psychological humiliation. Child development specialists have long emphasized that prolonged exposure to such conditions can cause trauma that lasts decades.
According to reports, the six children ranged in age from 1 to 9 years old during the period of alleged abuse. The vulnerability of toddlers and elementary-school-aged children makes the allegations all the more disturbing.
Connection to a Prior Sexual Assault Conviction
The case is further complicated by the couple’s criminal history. In 2022, Casey and Mary Cano were reportedly convicted in connection with the sexual assault of a 12-year-old.
The current complaints state that the six children were removed from the home in April 2022 during a separate sexual abuse investigation involving another child. That intervention may ultimately have prevented additional years of alleged abuse.
Wisconsin’s legislative framework addressing sexual crimes against minors is also contained within Chapter 948 of the Wisconsin Statutes, highlighting the state’s structured legal approach to protecting children from exploitation.
“Party to a Crime” Modifier Explained
Court records indicate that Mary Cano faces a “party to a crime” modifier. Under Wisconsin criminal statutes, this designation applies when a person intentionally aids, abets, or fails to prevent criminal activity in which they are legally complicit.
In practical terms, this means prosecutors believe she either directly participated in or knowingly allowed the alleged abuse to continue.
The concept of shared criminal accountability ensures that adults living in a household cannot escape legal consequence simply by claiming ignorance when systematic harm occurs under their roof.
Law Enforcement and Ongoing Proceedings
A new investigation into the couple reportedly began last December. After gathering evidence, authorities arrested both individuals in March. They have since posted bond.
The next court appearance has not yet been scheduled, according to public reporting. The prosecution will now bear the burden of presenting evidence sufficient to support the felony charges filed.
Information on criminal case proceedings in Wisconsin can be accessed through the Wisconsin Court System, which provides public access to circuit court records.
How Could This Go On for Years?
Whenever prolonged abuse cases surface, an unavoidable question follows: how were warning signs missed?
Child protection in Wisconsin operates through county-level agencies following guidelines established by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Reports of suspected neglect or abuse are typically investigated by social workers in coordination with local law enforcement.
In many cases across the country, abuse goes undetected for extended periods when children have limited contact with teachers, doctors, or mandatory reporters. Isolation significantly reduces opportunities for intervention.
This case allegedly spanned from 2018 through 2022—a period that includes the COVID-19 pandemic, when school closures nationwide reduced in-person contact between children and mandated reporters such as educators and school nurses. National child advocacy organizations have documented a drop in abuse reporting during that period, raising concerns that many situations remained hidden behind closed doors.
The Bigger Picture: Protecting America’s Children
Every child in this country deserves safety, nourishment, and dignity. Cases like this not only shock the conscience—they test the effectiveness of our child protection systems.
While the United States has some of the most comprehensive child protection statutes in the world, enforcement ultimately depends on vigilance at the local level. That includes:
- Neighbors willing to report suspicious behavior
- Educators and healthcare professionals fulfilling mandatory reporting obligations
- Law enforcement taking allegations seriously
- Child protective services conducting thorough investigations
The CDC estimates that at least 1 in 7 children nationwide experience abuse or neglect each year. Those are not just statistics—they represent real American children whose futures depend on adults stepping up.
The Road Ahead in Court
As this case moves forward, it will work its way through Wisconsin’s criminal justice system, where prosecutors will need to substantiate each charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
The severity of the allegations—especially repeated physical abuse causing great bodily harm—means the stakes are extraordinarily high. Convictions on those charges could carry lengthy prison sentences under Wisconsin law.
For now, the couple remains out on bond, and the six children are no longer in the home where the alleged abuse took place. Authorities have not publicly released details about the children’s current status, citing privacy protections for minors.
A Sobering Reminder
This case in Crawford County is not just a local crime story. It is a sobering reminder of the responsibility we all share in safeguarding the next generation.
America’s strength has always rested on strong families and accountable communities. When parental duty turns into alleged cruelty, the justice system must respond decisively and transparently.
As the legal process unfolds, the focus must remain where it belongs: on ensuring the safety, healing, and future well-being of six young children who, according to prosecutors, endured years of unimaginable suffering.
Justice in this case will ultimately be decided in a Wisconsin courtroom. But the broader lesson extends far beyond state lines. Protecting America’s children is not optional—it is foundational to our national character and our shared future.
