Additional Coverage:
- Starving Pennsylvania babies weighed just 4lbs after being ‘deliberately underfed by parents’ (themirror.com)
Bucks County, PA – A local couple is facing felony child endangerment charges after allegedly neglecting to properly feed their premature twin babies. 32-year-old Courtney Soyka and 45-year-old Marcus Maddela were arrested following an investigation by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation began in December 2024 after a referral from the Department of Children and Youth. The twins, born prematurely in October 2024, spent time in the NICU before being released into their parents’ care.
Despite scheduled follow-up appointments, the parents missed four check-ups. When they finally brought the infants in for an exam in December, doctors were alarmed by their severely low weight. Both babies were reportedly below the first percentile for their age.
One twin, born weighing 4.16 pounds, had only gained 1.62 pounds in two months. The other, initially weighing 3.74 pounds, had gained just 1.3 pounds.
After being readmitted to the hospital, the twins quickly began gaining weight under medical supervision. This rapid improvement led doctors to believe the babies’ poor growth at home was due to inadequate feeding.
One doctor noted the twins showed no signs of illness, further suggesting neglect. Soyka and Maddela are currently in jail, each with a $500,000 bond.