Wisconsin Couple Charged in Death of 4-Year-Old Boy Found Unresponsive in West Allis

WEST ALLIS, WISCONSIN — A 21-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman from southeastern Wisconsin have been criminally charged in the death of a 4-year-old boy, following what police described as a disturbing case of repeated child abuse and neglect.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office announced the charges on Wednesday, October 22, against Devario S. Cruz and Charlotte M. Kurek. Both lived in West Allis with the child, who was found unresponsive last weekend.

4-Year-Old Found Unresponsive Outside Business

The case began shortly after 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, when dispatchers received a call from a woman saying she was driving her unresponsive son to a hospital. The dispatcher instructed her to pull over near the West Allis Fire Department to perform CPR.

Kurek reportedly stopped outside a business on the 10800 block of West Greenfield Avenue, where first responders immediately began life-saving efforts. The boy was transported to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, police said.

Charges Filed Against Cruz and Kurek

After days of investigation, detectives arrested both Cruz and Kurek, leading to multiple felony child abuse and homicide charges.

Devario S. Cruz, 21, faces:

• Physical Abuse of a Child – Repeated Acts Causing Death (Class A Felony)
• First-Degree Reckless Homicide (Class B Felony)
• Chronic Neglect of a Child – Consequence is Death (Class B Felony)
• Physical Abuse of a Child – Repeated Acts Causing Bodily Harm (Felony)
• Chronic Neglect of a Child (Felony)
• Possession with Intent to Deliver THC (200–1,000 grams, Class H Felony)

Charlotte M. Kurek, 31, faces:

• Chronic Neglect of a Child – Consequence is Death (Class B Felony)
• Chronic Neglect of a Child (Felony)

Both suspects remain in custody and are scheduled for initial court appearances later this week.

Police Describe a Disturbing Case of Ongoing Abuse

Investigators said the boy had visible signs of physical trauma, and early findings suggest long-term neglect and repeated acts of abuse may have led to his death. Detectives are continuing to examine evidence from the family’s apartment and are working with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office to confirm the official cause of death.

Police also seized guns and marijuana from the apartment shared by the suspects, deepening the scope of the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the West Allis Police Department.

Stay tuned to ChicagoMusicGuide.com for continuing coverage of this case and other Wisconsin public safety updates.