SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Newly released investigative documents reveal a case of infant starvation so severe that two premature twins weighed less at five months old than they did on the day they were born at the very same hospital. The findings, buried in arrest affidavits and internal reports, paint a picture far more disturbing than early headlines suggested.

Hospital staff described the twins as “extremely malnourished,” “sunken,” and “with bones visible,” according to affidavits reviewed by investigators. One infant arrived breathing but unresponsive, dusky in color, and “did not look normal,” a phrase rarely used in clinical documentation unless the situation is dire.

The twins weighed approximately 5.7 pounds each—far below the expected weight for a five‑month‑old and even below the typical weight of a premature newborn. For context, medical guidelines show that even very low‑birth‑weight preemies are expected to gain steadily after discharge, supported by specialized feeding plans and close monitoringneonatalfellowship.med.brown.edu+1.

A Timeline of Missed Warnings

The Tip That Triggered the Investigation

On January 6, hospital staff contacted the Department of Children and Families after the twins were brought in by their parents, Leroy Somersall and Madison Smith, both 25. The staff immediately recognized signs of severe malnutrition and dehydration.

The Home Visit

When deputies visited the parents’ residence, they found no baby formula anywhere in the home, despite the infants’ age and medical needs. Investigators noted that the parents offered no coherent explanation for the children’s condition.

The Arrest

Somersall and Smith were arrested and charged with two counts of child neglect with great bodily harm, a felony under Florida law.

What Mainstream Coverage Missed

Most outlets reported the arrests and the shocking weight of the infants. But the deeper story lies in the systemic failures that allowed the twins to deteriorate for months without intervention.

1. Premature Infants Require Intensive Follow‑Up

Premature babies are typically enrolled in neonatal follow‑up programs that monitor weight gain, feeding, and development. These programs are designed to catch exactly this type of decline.Yet there is no indication in the documents that the twins were ever brought to follow‑up appointments.

2. No Formula in the Home

The absence of formula suggests prolonged nutritional deprivation—not a sudden crisis. Investigators found no evidence of alternative feeding methods, specialized preemie formula, or even basic supplies.

3. Weight Loss Below Birth Weight

Medical literature is unequivocal:

• Preemies may lose weight briefly after birth,
• But they do not weigh less months later unless severe neglect or a medical condition is present.

The twins’ weight—around 5.7 pounds—aligns with very low birthweight infants, not five‑month‑olds who should weigh roughly double that amount.

4. One Twin Was Nearly Unresponsive

The affidavit’s description of one infant as “breathing but unresponsive” indicates a near‑fatal state. Infants do not reach this level of deterioration overnight.

A System Designed to Protect — But Did It?

DCF received no prior reports about the family. That raises critical questions about oversight gaps, especially for medically fragile infants.

• Were the twins discharged with a follow‑up plan?
• Did any medical provider attempt to contact the family after missed appointments?
• Did the parents avoid care intentionally, or did they fall through bureaucratic cracks?

These questions remain unanswered in the public record.

The Larger Pattern: Florida’s Struggle With Infant Neglect Cases

This case echoes a troubling pattern in Florida, where multiple high‑profile child neglect cases have emerged in recent years. Advocates argue that DCF is overwhelmed, hospitals are understaffed, and follow‑up systems rely too heavily on parents’ voluntary participation.

The twins’ case may become a flashpoint in the debate over how the state monitors vulnerable infants after NICU discharge.

What Happens Next

Somersall and Smith remain charged with felony neglect. The twins are receiving medical care, though their long‑term prognosis has not been released.

The investigation continues, and more details are expected as prosecutors build their case.