Wisconsin Parents Charged After 4-Year-Old’s Death in ‘One of the Worst Cases Ever Seen,’ Judge Says

WEST ALLIS, WISCONSIN — A Milwaukee County court commissioner described the death of a 4-year-old boy as one of the most horrific cases he has ever seen as the child’s parents faced charges this week in court.

Authorities say the boy, Dante Campbell, was beaten to death by his father, 21-year-old Devario Cruz, while his mother, 31-year-old Charlotte Kurek, failed to protect him and the couple’s other children.

Judge Calls It “The Worst Case I’ve Ever Seen”

During a tense court hearing, Court Commissioner Barry Phillips said he struggled to stay composed while addressing the parents.

“I’m almost having difficulty being composed myself,” Phillips said. “This literally may be the worst case I’ve ever seen.”

Cruz faces charges of reckless homicide, child abuse, and neglect, while Kurek has been charged with chronic neglect for allegedly allowing the abuse to continue.

Parents Initially Lied to Police

Prosecutors say the couple initially told investigators that Dante had fallen down a flight of stairs. But according to the criminal complaint, Cruz later confessed privately to Kurek that he had killed their son.

On October 18, 2025, Cruz allegedly found his son “stiff” and “smelling bad,” prosecutors said, indicating that the child had already been dead for some time.

Instead of calling 911 immediately, investigators say Cruz and Kurek placed Dante’s body — along with his twin sister — in their car and drove to a friend’s house.

“You didn’t call police,” Phillips told the mother in court. “You called a friend and said, ‘Take my child, because I don’t want the child to see his brother dead.’”

Only later did they call 911, but when paramedics arrived, they were unable to revive Dante.

Disturbing Details From Investigation

According to Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew Torbenson, Kurek had a chance to protect her children but chose to protect her boyfriend instead.

“She had an easy choice on October 18 — her child or Mr. Cruz. She chose Mr. Cruz,” Torbenson said.

Phillips told Cruz directly: “You allegedly beat a four-year-old child to death — literally with your bare hands — as if that child were a grown man.”

Later that same morning, police discovered three other children in Kurek’s apartment, all under the age of 10, left unsupervised.

Prosecutors say those children reported regular beatings by Cruz, and that Kurek did nothing to intervene.

“All you had to do was call police and get him taken out of their lives,” Phillips said. “You didn’t — you chose him.”

Bond and Next Court Steps

During their initial appearances, Cruz’s bond was set at $250,000, while Kurek’s bond was set at $100,000, along with a no-contact order preventing her from seeing her surviving children.

Both parents remain in custody as the investigation continues.

Community and Law Enforcement Outrage

Veteran law enforcement officers said the case has shaken even those accustomed to handling violent crimes. “This is one of the most disturbing cases we’ve ever dealt with,” a West Allis detective told reporters.

Local child welfare advocates say the tragedy underscores the ongoing challenge of identifying and preventing abuse before it escalates to fatal violence.

Remembering the Victim

Community members have begun leaving flowers and stuffed animals outside the West Allis apartment complex where Dante lived. Many say they hope the justice system delivers accountability for the young boy’s death.

Prosecutors are expected to present the case to a Milwaukee County grand jury in the coming weeks.

Do you believe Wisconsin’s child welfare system needs stronger intervention powers to prevent tragedies like this? Share your thoughts and local experiences with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.