OAKWOOD, GA – A 44-year-old mother from Hall County faces charges of child cruelty after her 14-year-old son was discovered weighing a mere 49 pounds. The alarming discovery took place at the Peaks of Oakwood apartment complex, where the mother, Hashaba Yehuda, and her son lived.
Authorities arrived at the apartment on July 25 after receiving a concerning call from a gastroenterologist’s office. The doctor had flagged the boy’s critical condition, highlighted by lab tests, and stressed the urgent need for hospital care. However, attempts to reach the mother were reportedly met with no response, as she allegedly screened calls from both the doctor’s office and the hospital.
When paramedics arrived, they quickly transported the teenager to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for immediate treatment. Neighbors expressed shock and regret, wishing they had known more about the family’s situation. “I’m just very shocked. I did not know,” said a resident, emphasizing the community’s tendency to keep to themselves.
Yehuda reportedly told police she intended to manage her son’s iron levels and preferred to take him to a hospital in Gainesville rather than Children’s Healthcare. She claimed she was unaware of the necessity for urgent medical intervention. “If I knew I had to take him, I would have,” she reportedly stated.
Neighbor DM Willis, who was unfamiliar with the family, expressed remorse that the community was unable to offer 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 lamented.
The boy remains in stable condition at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The case has raised questions about community vigilance and the responsibility of neighbors in recognizing and responding to signs of distress within their vicinity.
The incident highlights the critical need for awareness and intervention when it comes to child welfare, urging communities to be more attentive and proactive in safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the unsettling realization of what transpired within their midst, hoping for healing and change.