WEST VALLEY CITY, UT – The case of a severely malnourished 5-year-old girl has sent shockwaves through a Utah community after authorities arrested a father and his girlfriend, accusing them of subjecting the child to prolonged starvation and horrific neglect.
David Fivas, 32, and Jessica Harmes, 44, are facing multiple charges, including child torture, following an investigation that began in late August. Police were alerted when Fivas brought the little girl to a hospital, reporting that she was failing to gain weight and had begun ingesting her own feces. Medical personnel were alarmed to discover the child weighed little more than an average toddler, despite being almost five years old.
Physicians quickly determined this was not simply a result of a medical condition. Within two weeks of receiving regular, nutritious meals in the hospital, the girl gained nearly nine pounds—a dramatic turnaround that, authorities say, points to severe deprivation at home.
According to police documents, Fivas took custody of the girl when she was about 15 months old and claimed she struggled to grow since then. However, the investigation revealed disturbing details about her living conditions. Fivas reportedly expressed resentment toward the child, describing her as a “thief” for taking food from the refrigerator and pantry. In response, he and Harmes installed child locks on cabinets and appliances containing food, further restricting the girl’s access to nourishment.
While the couple told authorities the child would eat until she vomited and consumed non-food items such as Play-Doh and wax, officers determined these behaviors were likely acts of desperation driven by persistent hunger. Investigators wrote that in advanced stages of starvation, children may resort to eating anything available—including their own feces—in a frantic attempt to stay alive.
Another child residing in the same home did not appear to be suffering from malnutrition, raising additional questions about why the girl was singled out. Detectives believe the deprivation lasted for over two years, during which the victim’s health steadily declined.
Officers also uncovered evidence suggesting the child endured other forms of mistreatment. She was forced to sleep on the floor with only a blanket and was kept out of school, which police suspect was an attempt to isolate her and conceal her deteriorating condition. Accounts provided by another child in the home supported many of the allegations against the couple.
Court documents show that Fivas allegedly contacted state authorities after Harmes became pregnant, attempting to relinquish custody of the 5-year-old, but his request was denied. Harmes has reportedly said Fivas made it clear he did not want the child or the responsibility of caring for her.
During a bond hearing on Thursday, prosecutors urged the judge to keep Fivas detained, describing the circumstances as “intentionally harmful” and far surpassing mere neglect. The judge agreed, denying Fivas’ request for release and emphasizing the severity and depravity of the allegations.
Harmes also remains in custody without bond as the case proceeds. The next hearing for Fivas is scheduled for late November.
In the meantime, both children have been placed in state care as authorities continue their investigation into the extent of the abuse and neglect.