In a deeply troubling case from Missouri, a couple is facing charges of child endangerment after allegedly neglecting to treat a severe staph infection afflicting a young boy for an entire year. The infection reportedly caused sores to swell to the size of baseballs.

Authorities arrested William Robinson, 41, and Keisha Morgan, 35, in St. Clair County on Tuesday. The couple’s arrest follows an investigation by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, initiated last October when school officials raised concerns about the child’s alarming condition.

According to hospital staff reports, the boy struggled with basic movements such as walking and sitting due to the painful sores on his buttocks. In addition to the infection, the child displayed bruises, which were allegedly the result of a fight with his sibling.

Medical professionals diagnosed the boy with a methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. This type of staph infection is notorious for its resistance to many standard antibiotics and can pose serious risks by spreading into the bloodstream, potentially hindering growth and development.

Court documents reveal that Morgan admitted to being aware of the infection for about a year. Remarkably, she chose not to seek professional medical help, opting instead to self-medicate. However, she was unable to specify the treatments she attempted.

Investigators noted that the sores were at different stages of healing, suggesting the infection had been a prolonged issue. The case highlights the grave consequences of neglecting medical care in favor of home remedies, especially in a situation involving a child’s health.

Morgan also said that the same boy had reported being sexually abused by another child at the home but that she failed to report the allegation.

Robinson admitted pouring out the sick boy’s urine sample while at the hospital, saying he was afraid it might reveal alcohol, marijuana, or semen from the boy’s brother. He said he was afraid Morgan would lose custody of her children. He also admitted knowing about the sore and declining to seek medical attention for the boy.

Warrants were issued for the pair’s arrest, and the children have been removed from the home. Documents did not provide the age of any of the children involved or say how many children lived at the home.

Robinson and Morgan are each charged with felony endangering the welfare of a child. Morgan is further charged with felony abuse or neglect of a child, and Robinson faces a charged of tampering with physical evidence.

They’re being held on $25,000 bonds each.