Woman Sentenced In Starvation, Torture Case; Child, 7, Weighed 14 Pounds: Prosecutors

ELGIN, IL — A 7-year-old child weighed just 14 pounds when the child was brought to a hospital in March 2024, and his live-in caretaker has now been sentenced to prison time in the starvation and torture case.

Eulalia Vences, 55, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery - great bodily harm before her sentence was handed down in Kane County Circuit Court, according to a news release from the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.

Vences, a live-in caretaker for the child, and the mother of the child and co-defendant in the case, Natali Cruz-Gemchi, both "severely neglected and starved" the child over a three-year period, prosecutors said.

In March 2024, the child was brought to the emergency room for Saint Joseph Hospital for cardiac arrest and unresponsiveness. Doctors were able to stabilize the child but found the child’s weight to be only 14 pounds.

The child's conditions was "consistent with severe intentional physical torture, psychological torture, and medical neglect," according to the news release.

Vences must serve at least 85 percent of her 20-year sentence, and she receives credit for 596 days served in the Kane County jail.

Natali Cruz-Gemchi’s case is still pending, and she is currently detained in the Kane County Jail.

Lori Schmidt, Kane County assistant state's attorney, referred to the case as one of the most disturbing cases she has every encountered.

"For an adult to neglect, torture, and starve a child in their care, with such wanton disregard for the child’s well-being, is both unforgivable and horrendous. As a result of these actions, the child, who fortunately survived the abuse, will face long-term medical complications and lifelong psychiatric consequences," she said.