Tristan Hull, a 40-year-old man from Rib Mountain, Wisconsin, has pleaded guilty to chronic neglect of a child with great bodily harm after his 15-year-old daughter was found weighing just 58 pounds and suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration.
The case, which has sparked outrage, involves disturbing allegations of child abuse and neglect by Hull and his wife, Brittany Hull, 33, the girl’s stepmother. Brittany Hull’s case remains ongoing.
According to court records, Tristan Hull entered the guilty plea on Monday, admitting to his role in the prolonged neglect of his daughter.
The charges stem from an incident on October 15, 2023, when the girl was found in medical distress after reportedly drinking a protein shake. The girl’s condition worsened rapidly, prompting an emergency response from paramedics.
A Horrific Discovery: Child in Critical Condition
When authorities arrived at the family home, Tristan Hull claimed that his daughter had been drinking a protein shake when she began having trouble breathing. Paramedics spent about 25 minutes performing CPR before stabilizing her and transporting her to a hospital.
Despite his claims of her having health issues, Hull only mentioned a condition that affected her blood circulation, leaving out the underlying cause of her dire condition.
The girl was transferred to another hospital, where doctors discovered she was severely dehydrated and in bone marrow failure due to malnutrition. She was intubated for five days as her organs failed, and doctors found that she was 30 pounds underweight for her age, suffering from “severe malnutrition.”
After just eight days in the hospital, away from her parents’ control, the girl gained nearly five pounds, indicating the extent of her deprivation at home.
Family Pastor Raises Alarm About the Girl’s Health
As the investigation continued, detectives spoke with the family’s pastor, who had witnessed the girl’s decline over the years. The pastor revealed that the girl would have trouble focusing during church services, as she was “literally starving.”
The pastor also observed that when she was given a snack, she would “inhale” it and often hide food in her pockets to sneak away and eat.
Despite her severe condition, Brittany Hull allegedly blamed the girl’s malnutrition on ADHD, although doctors found no medical reason why the girl couldn’t eat properly. Hull took her to a dietitian but did not follow the professional recommendations, according to police.
Abuse and Restrictions on Food and Water
Once the girl was stable enough to talk, she described how she was treated differently from her siblings. She revealed that her stepmother was “very strict with her” about eating, often not allowing her to have snacks, while her siblings were allowed to eat freely.
The girl also said she was not permitted to eat breakfast with the rest of the family. Investigators found that there was an abundance of food in the house, and her siblings did not experience any nutritional issues.
In addition to the severe food restrictions, the girl was subjected to further abuse. Investigators discovered that the girl’s bedroom had locks on the doors and windows, along with a door alarm.
The girl told authorities that she was required to follow a special diet due to her ADHD, but Brittany Hull refused to discuss it and would argue if she raised the issue.
The girl was also allegedly forced to eat separately from the family, and her water intake was limited to just 16 ounces a day. In some cases, she was so weak that her stepmother had to spoon-feed her.
Forced to Stand with Her Hands Up
Perhaps the most shocking revelation was the discovery of surveillance footage from a camera in the girl’s bedroom. The footage allegedly showed the girl being forced to stand with her hands raised for hours as punishment. Even when she was visibly crying and shaking, her parents would make her raise her hands higher.
Legal Consequences and Upcoming Court Appearance
Tristan Hull is set to be sentenced on October 29, 2025, for his role in the abuse and neglect of his daughter. He faces significant legal consequences for his actions, with his guilty plea serving as a stark reminder of the severe impact that child neglect can have on a young person’s health and well-being.
Brittany Hull remains charged with child neglect and abuse, and her case is ongoing. The investigation into the couple’s treatment of the girl has drawn widespread condemnation, highlighting the need for greater vigilance in identifying and intervening in cases of child abuse and neglect.
The case of the 15-year-old girl from Rib Mountain underscores the devastating consequences of chronic neglect and abuse. As the legal process moves forward, it is hoped that justice will be served for the young victim and that her story will serve as a call to action for stronger protections for vulnerable children.
