Parents accused in 4-year-old's death appear in court, official calls it 'worst case' he's ever seen

By: Jenna Wells

Posted: Oct 23, 2025 11:00 AM CST | Updated: Oct 23, 2025 4:32 PM CST

NOW: Parents accused in 4-year-old’s death appear in court, official calls it ’worst case’ he’s ever seen

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Two West Allis parents accused in the death of their son, 4-year-old Dante Campbell, appeared in court for the first time Thursday, Oct. 23. Both are also accused of abusing Campbell's twin sister.

Campbell's father, 21-year-old Devario Cruz, is charged with six felonies including first-degree reckless homicide.

Campbell's mother, 31-year-old Charlotte Kurek, is charged with two felonies for chronic neglect.

Milwaukee County Court Commissioner Barry Phillips left the courtroom after the hearing, saying he needed a break after struggling to stay composed when speaking to Cruz; he called the case "horrific."

"This literally might be the worst case I've ever seen, pre-lawyer, as a lawyer, and now on the bench. This might be the worst case I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of cases," Phillips said in court.

See Also Parents charged in death of 4-year-old Dante Campbell

Cruz was given a cash bail of $250,000 for his six charges. Three of the six felony charges are for neglect and abuse toward the 4-year-old, leading to his death. Two charges are related to neglect and abuse of Campbell's twin sister, and one charge is for the possession and sale of marijuana.

Campbell was pronounced dead Saturday, Oct. 18, after his mom told first responders he was unresponsive after falling down the stairs the night before.

Investigators believe his cause of death was actually from substantial abuse by his father, and neglect by both parents.

Cash bond for Charlotte Kurek was set at $100,000 Thursday afternoon.

Kurek told investigators that Dante Campbell was in his room all day and night on Friday, the day Cruz allegedly beat the young boy.

Despite being home, Kurek didn't see her son at all until Saturday morning.

"According to your words, you got home approximately 7 or 8 o'clock and did not check on your 4-year-old child once, for 12 hours," Phillips said. "For all you know, if you would have checked on your child like a normal mother would have, you could have saved your baby's life."

Phillips ordered for both parents to have absolutely no contact with any of Kurek's other four children.

It's an order the commissioner said he almost never gives, but he believes is necessary in this case.

Both Cruz and Kurek have preliminary hearings scheduled for Oct. 29.