Neighbors had reported possible abuse of Wis. girl

MILWAUKEE — Neighbors of a severely malnourished Wisconsin teenager say they suspected she was possibly being abused and reported it.

But it wasn't until the 15-year-old was found walking barefoot out in the cold last week that details of what she allegedly endured were revealed. Authorities say she was forced to stay in an unfinished basement for years and eat her own feces.

A man who saw the crying 70-pound girl walking outside stopped to help her and alerted police. The girl's father and stepmother were arrested on suspicion of child abuse and neglect.

Neighbor Mark Stuntebeck says he'd see her taking out the trash, scavenging through it and then hiding to eat. He called social services, but doesn't know what happened. A health services spokeswoman said she couldn't immediately comment.