South Florida mother is accused of starving her child

FORT LAUDERDALE – Accused of letting her disabled child starve, Michelle Doe spent Thursday in Broward courtrooms and none of the verdicts went in her favor.

At an afternoon hearing, her former partner, Walter Atwell, agreed to care for her two other minor children, ages 9 and 16. Handcuffed, she struggled to sign her name at the hearing.

Judge Jose Izquierdo said: “No contact, as this would be detrimental to the children.”

Outside court, Atwell said he did not want to comment because it would aggravate the situation.

Doe was arrested Tuesday along with her 21-year-old son, her father and two caregivers.

According to police, all five caused 7-year-old Deonte Atwell, who had been disabled since birth, to shrink to just 7 pounds.

Deonte could not walk or speak, was connected to a feeding and breathing tube and required round-the-clock care.

Last Christmas Day, the family called 911, but police said he had been dead for some time when he arrived at the hospital.

At a hearing to determine whether she would be released on bail, we learned that in addition to the murder charge, Doe also faces child neglect charges.

According to prosecutors, she allowed her 9- and 16-year-old children to stay in the same bedroom and bed and watch her 7-year-old brother starve to death.

Doe was denied bail.