A married couple has been arrested and charged with abusing and neglecting their 14-year-old son, with the mother confessing to making him drink approximately two gallons of water daily. Stephanie Linke, aged 36, and Michael Gruchacz, aged 35, are facing two counts of aggravated child abuse dating back four months. The abuse came to light when they brought the teenager to the hospital, alleging he had been starving himself. However, Linke later admitted to hospital staff that she had been compelling her son to consume an excessive amount of water per day. At the time of his admission to the hospital, the boy was 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed around 92 pounds, according to authorities in Cowboy State. Following his hospitalization, he has reportedly gained 11 pounds.
Linke reportedly attributed her son’s dangerously low weight to behavioral issues, claiming he refused to eat because he was not allowed to consume junk food or soda. However, observant hospital staff noted signs of potential physical abuse, including an untreated wound behind one of his ears and bruises and scrapes on other parts of his body.
The boy’s excessive water intake led to hyponatremia, a condition caused by low salt levels due to electrolyte depletion from excessive fluid consumption. Medical professionals at the hospital indicated that the child could have faced total organ failure and death if not treated promptly.
During interviews with investigators, the boy disclosed that Linke yelled at him, hit him, and dragged him along the floor. Gruchacz was also accused of hitting him in the neck and shoulder with a “karate chop.” The couple allegedly inflicted substantial mental and emotional harm on the boy through cruel confinement and physical injury, as per official reports.
Evidence included home surveillance footage showing Gruchacz pacing in front of the teenager before taking him to the hospital and discussing reporting the boy’s actions to protect Linke. Additionally, a disturbing conversation between the couple on October 13, just five days before the boy was hospitalized, involved references to punching him in the throat.
In separate statements to law enforcement, the boy’s siblings claimed he lived in the basement and was usually restricted to eating leftovers, ramen, and peanut butter, unless he earned the privilege of dining with the family. While Gruchacz has been released on bond from Laramie County Jail, Linke remains in custody on a $50,000 bond.