Two young boys from Wisconsin managed to escape from the house where they had been confined for an extended period, resulting in legal charges against their mother and her partner.

Katie Koch, aged 34, the mother of the boys, and her boyfriend, Joel Manke, aged 38, are now facing serious felony charges for their mistreatment of Koch’s two sons, aged 7 and 9, as reported by ABC 7.

As per a criminal complaint, a neighbor spotted the children peering through a broken window last week, just before they made their way out onto an air conditioner, leaped into the yard, and proceeded to walk down the street in a state of undress and covered in blood.

Shocking Discovery

One witness who observed the boys outside described their behavior as primitive, likening them to cavemen who had never experienced sunlight before.

Another neighbor residing across the street from the residence in Milwaukee shared with ABC 7 that it seemed as though the boys had never been outdoors. She remarked, “It appeared as if they had never seen the outside world. If they had, it had been a considerable amount of time.”

The witness, Christine Eder, recounted her initial shock at the sight before promptly contacting emergency services while keeping a watchful eye on the boys’ movements.

“Their demeanor was peculiar,” Eder noted. “Their unkempt appearance suggested a lack of exposure to basic grooming practices. It was evident that they were unfamiliar with the concept of the outdoors.”

Appalling Conditions

Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Mallory Davis described the house where the boys resided as reminiscent of a horror film. Upon investigation, authorities found the residence to be cluttered with garbage and permeated with the stench of feces. The boys’ room was equipped with locks from both inside and outside, with walls smeared with excrement.

Davis revealed that the boys had been confined to their room for the majority of their lives, with boarded-up windows and a living environment described by officers as a severe hoarding situation, making it impossible to discern the floor of the house.

Legal Ramifications

According to law enforcement officials, Koch informed them that the boys had broken a window and fled. She disclosed that she had been residing in the property with Manke, who had owned it since 2007, for approximately four years. Koch also admitted to homeschooling the boys and acknowledged that the living conditions were substandard, asserting that her sons deserved better.

Conversely, Manke confessed to authorities that he recognized the inhumane conditions the children were subjected to but opted to avoid confrontation with Koch by choosing his battles. He further disclosed that the boys had not received medical attention or education during their time under his roof.

Following the arrest of Koch and Manke, the boys were placed under protective custody, necessitating the shaving of their heads due to fecal contamination.

Legal Consequences

Davis emphasized the severe impact of the mother’s actions on the children, highlighting their lack of education and basic life skills. She remarked, “These children have suffered immense harm due to their mother’s neglect. They are devoid of essential knowledge and skills, unable to integrate into society.”

Koch is currently facing four felony charges and two misdemeanors for child neglect and false imprisonment, while Manke is also confronted with four felony charges. In the event of a conviction on all felony counts, the duo could be liable for fines amounting to $120,000 and a maximum prison sentence of 43.5 years. Koch may additionally face a $20,000 fine and 18 months in prison for the misdemeanor charges.