Before he nearly starved to death, Malik Staton was a goofy, charming 12-year-old with an infectious smile, good grades and the kind of potential that teachers get excited about.
But life at home was difficult. His parents got divorced. His father went to prison, and Malik took on the role of the man of the house.
Malik was stoic at first, telling his mom that he would help her with his five younger siblings. But the self-imposed pressure was too much. Malik stopped eating.
As his weight dropped, the boy’s behavior became more and more desperate. He raged when one of his brothers or sisters got too close to him. On one occasion, he struck his mother. On another, he disappeared overnight.
Read Full Article »