DCF Was Involved With Abused, Starved 7-Year-Old Before His Coma

A 7-year-old Hardwick boy who was severely abused and starved, allegedly at the hands of his own father, was known to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families before he ended up in a coma.

DCF confirms that the family of young Jack Loiselle had received services since February of this year.

Tuesday, 26-year-old Randall Lints was arrested on child abuse charges alleging that he starved and dehydrated his son. When Loiselle was hospitalized on July 14, he weighed just 38.5 pounds.

DCF says a social worker visited the home on June 29.

It's not clear if anything was documented, including Jack's weight, but in a statement, the agency says in part, "the family had been receiving services from DCF since February 2015, and on July 14th when signs of abuse were evident, DCF immediately took custody of the child."

Jack's biological mother, Amber Lyn Loiselle, says Lints had full custody of their son for the past year.

Documents from Worcester Probate Court include the following information:

  • Jack Loiselle's maternal grandmother had custody of him starting in 2009, but he would live with his grandfather periodically during the first year of his life.
  • In 2012, Amber Lyn Loiselle was ordered to pay child support and healthcare for Jack. That order was removed in 2014 because she gave birth to another child and had no job.
  • In 2013, dad, Randall Lints, filed as "indigent" with court, saying he receives public assistance though SSI.
  • But then in 2014, Lints was given sole legal custody of Jack Loiselle. Amber Lyn Loiselle was given visitation.

Wednesday, Amber Lyn Loiselle wouldn't say why she didn't have custody. citing legal reasons.

She did, however, say her son is a "fighter" and was making small improvements.

Lints has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently behind bars until a dangerousness hearing next week.

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