TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2025 

PONTIAC, Mich. – Oakland County Prosecutor KAREN D. McDONALD charged Arturo Bazan, a 43-year-old male, Dulce Bazan, a 42-year-old female, and Carlos Bazan-Hernandez, a 24-year-old male—all Pontiac residents—each with 2 counts of First Degree Child Abuse and 2 counts of Torture. Defendants Arturo Bazan and Dulce Bazan are married. Carlos Bazan-Hernandez is Arturo Bazan’s son.

On November 17, a minor victim was taken to Trinity Hospital in Pontiac and suffered a cardiac arrest due to malnutrition. The victim, aged 9, suffered from liver failure and weighed just 33 pounds. The victim also had several injuries on his body, reportedly consistent with abuse. A second victim, aged 11, was also discovered to be suffering from malnutrition and weighed just 43 pounds upon hospital admission.

 The victims, the biological children of defendant Arturo Bazan, reportedly stated they received less food than their two younger siblings, who are the biological children of both defendants Arturo Bazan and defendant Dulce Bazan. The victims had been reportedly removed from school in September because the family allegedly told school officials they were moving.

 “It’s unconscionable that anyone, let alone parents, would willfully starve children,” said Prosecutor McDonald. “The allegations in this case are horrifying. My thoughts right now are with these children and the caregivers working to help them recover from what appears to be a nightmare situation.”

 First Degree Child Abuse is punishable by any term of years in prison, up to life. Torture is punishable by any term of years in prison, up to life.

 Charges are accusations and individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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CONTACT: OCPOmedia@oakgov.com