In a tragic and disturbing case, a Florida couple has been arrested for allegedly causing the death of their 12-year-old son, who was homeschooled and kept mostly indoors throughout his life.
The boy died in January 2025, severely dehydrated and emaciated, and his parents now face charges of aggravated manslaughter and child abuse.
The Death of the Child
On January 27, 2025, deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call made by Louis Massaquoi, the father, who reported that his son was weak and possibly deceased.
Emergency responders arrived at the family’s home but were unable to revive the boy, who was declared dead at 7:57 a.m. The initial cause of death was not immediately clear, and the investigation into the boy’s health and living conditions began.
According to the affidavit, the parents claimed their son had been ill for several days before his death, experiencing symptoms like constipation, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
However, when questioned about why they had not sought medical help, the Massaquoi couple stated that seeking medical treatment was against their religious beliefs. They were unable to provide a specific religious denomination that guided these beliefs.
The Shocking Discovery
A subsequent autopsy revealed the horrific condition the child had been in prior to his death. The medical examiner determined that the boy was “severely dehydrated, malnourished, and extremely emaciated.”
His body showed clear signs of malnutrition, with all of his bones visible. The child was found wearing only a diaper at the time of his death, which further raised suspicions.
Investigators also discovered disturbing evidence that painted a more sinister picture. The couple’s phones were seized and reviewed, revealing a series of videos and internet searches that suggested the parents had been abusing and tormenting their child in the days leading up to his death.
The Disturbing Videos
The videos discovered on the parents’ phones were chilling. They allegedly showed Louis Massaquoi mocking his son’s thirst, taunting him as he asked for water, and even denying him access to it.
In one video, Louis reportedly took a bottle of water from the boy and mocked him for always being thirsty. The footage also reportedly showed the father poking the boy with a stick and making fun of him for wearing a diaper.
Both parents were present during the making of these videos, which investigators described as clear evidence of “maliciously torturing, punishing, and mistreating” the child.
The investigation also revealed footage from several months earlier, which showed the boy appearing healthy, dancing, and speaking, indicating a dramatic decline in his health leading up to his death.
The Incriminating Internet Searches
In addition to the videos, investigators found incriminating searches on the parents’ phones. These included terms like “unexplained weight loss,” “excessive thirst,” and “distended abdomen,” which could be related to their son’s deteriorating condition.
More chilling were the searches made just before the parents called 911, including phrases like “what to do when a child dies” and “what to do when a person dies in Florida.”
Even more disturbing, the search history showed that the parents had contacted a local funeral home shortly before calling 911, suggesting they may have been planning for their son’s death.
The False Religious Beliefs Claim
Despite their claims that seeking medical care went against their religious beliefs, investigators found that in May 2025, the mother underwent oral surgery and received a blood transfusion, disproving their claim that medical treatment was against their faith. This revelation further cast doubt on the couple’s version of events.
The Parents’ Arrest and Charges
On Wednesday, Qwentosha Massaquoi, 46, and Louis Massaquoi, 47, were arrested and charged with one count each of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse. The charges stem from their alleged role in the abuse and neglect that led to their son’s death.
The couple is currently being held at the Lee County Jail without bond and is scheduled to appear in court for their arraignment on July 21, 2025.
The death of this young boy in Florida is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of neglect and abuse, particularly when medical care is denied in the name of personal or religious beliefs.
The disturbing evidence found by investigators paints a harrowing picture of cruelty, and justice for the child will hopefully be served in the upcoming legal proceedings.
