Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced two Lower Macungie Township residents are charged with endangering the welfare of twin 15-year-old boys in their care.

Joshua Dechant, 37, and his wife, Tracy Dechant, 43, are both charged with two felony counts each of endangering the welfare of children.

They were arraigned Jan. 26, 2025 before District Judge Mark McCants and are in Lehigh County Jail under $75,000 bail each. Joshua Dechant and Tracy Dechant are scheduled for preliminary hearings at 11 a.m. Feb. 3 in Lehigh County Central Court.

On Jan. 22, Pennsylvania State Police were called to the area of 1271 Divot Drive in Lower Macungie Township for a report of a nearly naked 15-year-old boy running around the neighborhood.

The boy told troopers that his stepfather, Joshua Dechant, forced him to go outside naked as a form of punishment. On this day, the temperature outside was in the single digits.

The boy told troopers he was outside for approximately 20 minutes and his feet were extremely red from the cold and snow.

Troopers said the boy was “very malnourished and extremely thin,” according to the criminal complaint. Neighbors told police that the boy had knocked on their door seeking help and once inside the home, he would not stop eating.

Trooper made contact with Joshua and Tracy Dechant as well as the other twin. The boys’ names will not be released.

Both boys told police their mother and stepfather subjected them to multiple types of abuse in the home. The abuse included the denial of food and water; forcing them to walk around the home naked, forcing them to stand outside naked in freezing temperatures, and forcing them to sleep on the floor with only a single blanket to share.

When admitted to the hospital, the boy weighed approximately 53 pounds and his brother weighed approximately 55 pounds. Medical personnel said boys of their size and age should weigh approximately 143 pounds. Both victims are hospitalized due their dire medical situation.

Medical records show that in the past 8 years, both victims had gained only 10 pounds.

Other children in the home were taken into custody and will be cared for by family.

The case was investigated by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steven M. Potynski Jr. and will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Sarah K. Heimbach.