A Wisconsin couple is facing shocking child abuse charges after prosecutors say their six children were starved for years and forced to eat mold, insects, grass, and even dog food just to survive.
Authorities arrested Casey Cano, 38, and Mary Cano, 35, following an investigation into alleged abuse that prosecutors say lasted from January 2018 through April 2022 inside their Crawford County home.
According to criminal complaints, the children lived in what investigators described as extreme neglect and punishment-driven abuse. Food was allegedly withheld as discipline, sometimes for days.
The hunger reportedly became so severe that the children resorted to eating whatever they could find, including mold, bugs, pet food, and grass.
Prosecutors also say the children were repeatedly beaten with belts, leaving visible injuries including welts and bleeding.
One disturbing allegation claims a child was forced to wear the same diaper for three days as punishment.
The abuse allegedly began when some of the children were still infants. Reports indicate some were as young as three months old when the physical violence began.
At the time of the alleged abuse, the six children ranged between 1 and 9 years old.
The situation came to light after authorities removed the children from the home in April 2022 during a separate investigation involving sexual abuse allegations connected to another child.
That discovery triggered a deeper probe into the family’s living conditions.
Both parents now face six counts each of repeated physical abuse of a child causing great bodily harm and multiple neglect charges.
Mary Cano also faces a legal modifier known as party to a crime, meaning prosecutors believe she failed to stop the alleged abuse.
Adding to the severity of the case, reports indicate the couple had already been convicted in 2022 in connection with the sexual assault of a 12 year old, raising further concerns about the children's safety before their removal.
A new investigation launched in December 2025 ultimately led to the couple’s arrests in March 2026. Both have since posted bond while awaiting their next court appearance, which has not yet been scheduled.
The case is now drawing attention as another grim example of long-term child abuse that allegedly remained hidden for years before intervention.