Experts weigh in on child neglect on heels of Milwaukee imprisonment case

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- We're digging deeper into how two Milwaukee children could have fallen through the cracks and off the grid, forgotten and unnoticed for years.

The two Milwaukee boys escaped their home a few days ago after they were allegedly imprisoned by their mother and her boyfriend.

Katie Koch and Joel Manke remain in custody. Each faces several felony counts for child neglect and false imprisonment.

Last week the 7-year-old and 9-year-old boys escaped through a broken bedroom window. Neighbors called 911 when they saw them walking the street naked and covered in blood.

Some neighbors told us they didn't even know children lived in the home because they never saw anyone go in and out.

Koch and Manke are accused of intentionally neglecting the boys, locking them inside the home for more than three years. They did not go to school and they did not get medical care. And those are two critical systems that can help monitor a child's safety and wellbeing.

Dr. Angela Rabbitt, a specialist in Child Advocacy and Protection & Pediatrics at Children's Wisconsin, said, "It is easy for kids to slip through the cracks, I think, in health care."

Especially when the neglect is intentional.

Dr. Rabbitt said child neglect is one of the most common forms of maltreatment, and more common than people realize.

Earlier this week, neighbors lamented missed red flags. Christine Eder said, "We walk past the house now, we never even noticed how every window was literally covered. We never noticed that."

Dr. Rabbitt said neglect often goes unnoticed, which could lead to severe outcomes.

In an interview with investigators, Manke said Koch had never taken the children to a doctor in the three-plus years she had lived with him.

Dr. Rabbitt said, "We don't always know what's happening in a child's life at home. We don't know if the child is being seen somewhere else."

School is another area the boys may have slipped through the cracks.

Manke said the boys had not been to school. Koch said she homeschooled them.

According to DPI, caregivers must submit a form every fall that says their child will be homeschooled.

It's not known if Koch submitted that form for her boys.

But even if she had, that one form means "the compulsory attendance requirement is met and there is no mechanism or express authority in law for the DPI or a local school district to monitor the progress of a homeschooled student," according to DPI.

And that's by design.

The 1983 state statute was enacted because, according to a DPI spokesperson, "The Wisconsin state Legislature intended to provide parents/guardians the option of homeschooling their children with minimal interference from state and local officials."

At an event Tuesday, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said he needed more information before answering a question about the boys slipping through the cracks, but he did say, "That's a terrible, unfortunate situation. No kid should have to endure that sort of experience, especially not with relatives of theirs."

Dr. Rabbit said this latest case, while extreme, is a reminder for everyone to be aware. "If you have concerns about a child, don't ignore it. Ask more questions."

She said if you suspect a child is being neglected, a first step could be reaching out to the family to see if they need help with child care or transportation.

But if the child is in imminent danger, call 911 and get in touch with Child Protective Services.