OAKWOOD, GA – A Hall County mother has been charged with child cruelty after her 14-year-old son was found severely underweight, weighing only 49 pounds. The discovery was made at the Peaks of Oakwood apartment complex, where the mother, Hashaba Yehuda, resided with her son.
The alarming situation came to light on July 25 when police responded to a call from a gastroenterologist. The doctor had conducted lab tests indicating the boy’s critical health condition and stressed the urgency of hospital care. Despite numerous attempts, calls to the mother reportedly went unanswered.
Emergency responders transported the teenager to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for immediate treatment. Neighbors expressed shock and regret over the situation, noting the community’s general tendency to maintain privacy. “I’m just very shocked. I did not know,” shared one resident.
Yehuda reportedly told authorities she was trying to manage her son’s iron levels and preferred to take him to a hospital in Gainesville. She claimed she was unaware of the immediate need for medical intervention. “If I knew I had to take him, I would have,” she reportedly stated.
DM Willis, a neighbor who did not know the family personally, expressed sorrow over the community’s inability to provide support. “It’s very unfortunate and sad to hear that a 14-year-old was surrounded by the village, and yet the village did not warm this kid,” he commented.
The teenager remains in stable condition at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The incident has sparked discussions about community responsibility and the importance of being alert to signs of distress.
This case underscores the necessity for communities to be vigilant and supportive, especially when it concerns the welfare of children. As the investigation continues, the community is left reflecting on the importance of awareness and intervention to prevent similar situations in the future.