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Teen Weighing 50 Lbs Found In Fayette Co., Parents Charged

FAYETTE COUNTY (KDKA) – Police say two parents being charged in a starvation case restricted their daughter's diet between Aug. 19 of 2013 and July 19 of 2014.

When KDKA visited their home, the father said he never starved the 13-year-old girl.

Edwin Havrilesko, 40, didn't say much about his now 14-year-old daughter. However, she's doing OK.

"She's fine now, she's in foster care over a year ago," said Edwin.

He says he talks to his daughter once a month.

We reached out to the couple's attorney, but he hasn't called back.

Both Edwin and his wife Jennifer are accused of starving the girl, who weighed 50 pounds when she was sent to Children's Hospital back in July of 2014.

The criminal complaint says Fayette County CYS contacted police at the time after the teen, who was 13 then, was being treated for severe malnourishment.

Police say she was near death. Neighbors say they're surprised.

Neighbor Debbie Griest said the girl didn't strike her as unhealthily skinny.

"No, I've never been that close to her besides seeing her on the porch or yard," she said.

According to the police criminal complaint, Jennifer told police her daughter suffered from a number of ailments, including food allergies.

When police told Jennifer of her daughter's condition, she said she should have taken her to the hospital sooner.

Doctors found no evidence that the girl had food allergies or an eating disorder.

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