Two Family Members Charged for Allegedly Ignoring Torture of 12-Year-Old Boy in Nebraska Home
Two family members in Lincoln, Nebraska, have been arrested and charged after authorities alleged they were aware that a 12-year-old boy was being starved and tortured inside their shared residence but failed to intervene or report the abuse.
Makenzie Watkins, 20, and Joseph Lowe, 44, were taken into custody on Tuesday, facing charges of first-degree child abuse, first-degree assault, and false imprisonment. The charges stem from an investigation initiated on January 30, when the boy’s primary caregiver, Angela Lowe—who is Watkins’ mother and Joseph Lowe’s wife—brought the child to a local hospital.
Details of the Alleged Abuse
Medical staff reported severe neglect after discovering the 12-year-old weighed only 47 pounds. Doctors noted that the child was too weak to speak or lift himself and was suffering from septic shock and pneumonia. Upon admission, his core body temperature was recorded at a life-threatening 80 degrees.
Court documents allege that Watkins and Joseph Lowe knew that Angela Lowe was subjecting the child to extreme punishment, including locking him in a room for extended periods and forcing him to use a bucket as a toilet. The victim remains in critical but stable condition in a pediatric intensive care unit and has been placed in state custody.
Defense and Objections
During questioning, the suspects provided reasons for their failure to contact authorities. Joseph Lowe, who has a history of prior felony convictions, reportedly told investigators that he did not report the abuse because his wife threatened to fabricate allegations against him that would result in his parole being revoked.
Watkins offered a separate defense, claiming that although she lived in the same home, she had not seen the child for three months prior to his hospitalization.
Legal Background and Status
Angela Lowe was arrested on January 30 and charged with felony child abuse, first-degree assault, and false imprisonment. Following the subsequent arrests of Watkins and Joseph Lowe, a judge set their bonds at 10% of $750,000, matching the bail amount set for Angela Lowe. All three defendants are scheduled for upcoming court appearances in March.
