Hearings for family accused of abusing Wisconsin girl postponed

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Dane County judge has postponed preliminary hearings for the father and stepmother of severely malnourished Madison girl and canceled one for the girl's stepbrother.

Investigators say the family forced the girl to live in their basement and denied her food. The father and stepmother have been charged with child abuse, reckless endangerment and child neglect. The 18-year-old stepbrother has been charged with sexually assaulting the girl.

The Associated Press isn't naming them to avoid identifying the girl. The AP does not usually name victims of sexual assault.

Preliminary hearings were set for Thursday for all three. But Judge Amy Smith postponed the proceedings for the father and stepmother because neither has hired an attorney yet.

The stepbrother waived his right to his hearing. His attorney declined to comment.

Tags: news, wisconsin, crime, courts, food, health