by Seminole County, Fla. – A Florida couple is in custody after their 5-month-old twins were hospitalized with severe malnutrition and dehydration, authorities said. Leroy Somersall III, 24, and Madison Smith, 23, were charged with child neglect with great bodily harm after bringing the infants to the hospital on Jan. 6.
Hospitalization and Condition of the Twins
Child Protective Services was alerted through a hotline tip, prompting police involvement. Hospital staff reported that the baby boy was so malnourished that his bones were visible, while both infants were severely dehydrated. At 5 months old, each baby weighed only 5.7 pounds, despite the little girl being heavier at birth. Both children had been born a month premature, and Smith reportedly tested positive for THC during delivery.
Parents’ Statements
Smith told authorities that they brought the babies to the hospital only when the boy became unresponsive. When questioned about feeding, she claimed she had not consulted the pediatrician since September 2025, shortly after the babies were born. She said she and Somersall were unaware that feeding amounts needed to increase as the infants grew. Both parents also suggested that the twins were thin because Somersall himself was thin.
Investigation Findings
Investigators searched the family’s RV and reportedly found no evidence of formula, raising concerns about ongoing neglect. Authorities stressed the severity of the malnutrition and potential long-term health effects, including neurological damage.
Legal Action
Somersall and Smith were both arrested and charged with child neglect with great bodily harm. They are being held at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility on $100,000 bond and are scheduled to appear in court on March 3. Police confirmed that the babies are expected to survive and have shown improvement since hospitalization.
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