Starved 9-Year-Old Weighing Just 30 Pounds Leads to Ohio Couple’s Arrest on Child Abuse Charges

By Ronald Rodriguez Last updated Sep 27, 2025

Elmwood Place, OH – In a deeply disturbing case from Ohio, a 9-year-old boy weighing only 30 pounds and suffering from severe malnutrition and physical abuse has resulted in the arrest of a local couple on multiple felony charges.

The boy was found unresponsive in critical condition with a dangerously low core body temperature of less than 80 degrees, prompting immediate medical intervention and a thorough police investigation.

The couple, 32-year-old Angel Holland and her 34-year-old boyfriend Aaron Stalling, face three counts each of felonious assault and endangering the safety of children, according to records.

Authorities revealed that two other young children living in the home were also found malnourished and hospitalized for medical treatment.

A Harrowing Discovery Leads to Swift Police Action

On September 13, officers from the Elmwood Place Police Department responded to an emergency call around 5 p.m. regarding an unresponsive juvenile male in a home located on the 5600 block of Helen Street.

When first responders arrived, they found the boy in critical condition and administered life-saving measures before rushing him by ambulance to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

The emergency call, placed by Aaron Stalling, revealed a startling calmness in his voice despite the severity of the situation. When the dispatcher asked if the child was breathing, Stalling replied, “He’s breathing heavily — he seems to be really weak.” He also admitted uncertainty about how long the boy had been in a critical state.

Shocking Details of Abuse and Neglect Emerge

Medical staff at Cincinnati Children’s confirmed the boy was severely malnourished with a life-threateningly low body temperature and showed visible signs of physical abuse. Interviews with the suspects revealed troubling neglect:

Angel Holland, the boy’s custodian since 2020, admitted the child had stomach pain for three days but had not sought medical care after a recent fall.
She claimed to be “preoccupied with another child” on the day the boy was found unresponsive.
When confronted, Stalling insisted, “We feed him.”
The boy’s 8-year-old and 6-year-old siblings were also discovered to be malnourished and hospitalized for treatment.
Investigators found bungee cords, a belt, and soiled towels inside a vehicle registered to Holland, which may indicate further abuse.

Community and Law Enforcement Respond to the Tragedy

Elmwood Place Police Chief Randy Newsom, a 30-year veteran, described the scene as “the worst case of child abuse and neglect that I’ve ever seen” and stated, “I’ve never seen anything this bad in my life.”

“He’s terribly malnourished and looks like some, maybe some signs of abuse, but he will probably survive,” Chief Newsom told.

The boy’s grandfather expressed his horror after seeing photos of his grandson, calling it “literally the most horrific, disturbing thing I have ever seen in my life.”

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

Both Holland and Stalling are being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center on bonds of $600,000 each. Their case is scheduled to be presented to a grand jury on October 3.

The ongoing investigation and related details were reported by Cincinnati media and compiled in this account based on information from the Elmwood Place Police Department and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. For more detailed coverage, visit Law&Crime.

The Broader Issue of Child Abuse Awareness

This tragic incident shines a harsh light on the critical importance of vigilance and intervention when it comes to child abuse and neglect. It underscores the need for communities to remain informed and proactive about the signs of maltreatment and to report suspected cases promptly.

Warning signs such as severe malnutrition, unexplained injuries, and neglect must be taken seriously.
Emergency responders and healthcare professionals play a crucial role in identifying and safeguarding vulnerable children.
Legal consequences for child abusers serve not only justice but also as deterrents for future neglect.

What do you think about this disturbing case? Have you witnessed or known of similar incidents in your community? Share your thoughts and raise awareness by commenting below.