A judge ordered Russell and Mona Hauser to give up their paternal rights after one of their four kids was found nearly starved to death. Their adoptive son, 8, was brought to the hospital weighing just 35 pounds — the average weight of a child half his age.

The Minnesota boy was released from the hospital on Nov. 7, and is now in foster care.

His parents admitted to restricting their son’s food and forcing him to sleep in a sled in the basement — and even put an alarm on the door so he couldn’t get food.

The boy told police he didn’t brush his teeth because he didn’t know when he would taste food again. They also allegedly forced him to go to the bathroom in a bucket, be washed off with a hose, and they reportedly beat him with 2x4s.

“He was treated like an animal,” Nicollet County Sheriff’s Investigator Marc Chadderdon said.

The couple is being charged with six felonies, including neglect and malicious punishment of a child. The judge said it is not the best interest for any child to be in their care.

Such a tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with this poor boy.

What do YOU think of the case HollyMoms?

– Christina Stiehl

More tragic parenting news:

1. Adoptive Parents Accused Of Starving Son, 8, To Weigh Just 35 Pounds
2. Texas Parents Charged With Starving 11-Year-Old Son To Death
3. Monster Mom Who Starved & Killed Daughter, 4, Gets 32 Years In Prison