In a deeply troubling case out of Nebraska, authorities have accused a woman of severely neglecting and abusing a young boy in her care. The child, a 12-year-old, was reportedly found to be shockingly underweight, weighing merely half of what would be expected for his age.

The woman at the center of these serious allegations is 47-year-old Angela Lowe. She now faces multiple charges, including child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, false imprisonment, and first-degree assault.

Lowe is currently being held by the Lancaster County Department of Corrections with her bond set at $750,000, reflecting the gravity of the accusations she faces.

The distressing situation came to light on January 12 when Lowe brought the child to an emergency room. She had been the boy’s guardian since he was six years old. According to court records reviewed by local CBS affiliate KOLN, the boy’s dire condition prompted immediate concern from medical staff.

Upon the child’s admission, a nurse reportedly contacted the police, suspecting neglect. The Lincoln Police Department later disclosed that the boy was found to be extremely malnourished, unable to lift himself or even speak due to weakness.

Police officers responding to the scene discovered that the boy’s core body temperature was alarmingly low at 80 degrees Fahrenheit, significantly below the normal 97 degrees. His weight was recorded at just 47 pounds, starkly contrasting with the average weight of a 12-year-old boy, which is typically around 90 pounds.

The child was airlifted to Children’s Nebraska pediatric hospital in Omaha, where doctors diagnosed him with septic shock and pneumonia. Investigators believe Lowe not only neglected the boy but starved and tortured him for months.

Doctors did not expect the child to survive more than a few days, according to KOLN. As of Thursday, however, the child was still in critical but stable condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Lowe’s exact relationship with the child is unclear. She is scheduled to return to court on March 4.