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Couple Sentenced in Child Abuse Case Save Email Print
Infant was deprived of food
Posted: 2:17 PM Jul 24, 2008
 Last Updated: 5:26 PM Jul 24, 2008
31 comments
A | A | A

Ben and Joanna Langston have been sentenced to two to three years in prison in a child abuse case for depriving their five-month-old child of food.

The parents of Xaviar Langston pleaded no contest to felony child abuse charges after authorities used surveillance cameras to catch them in the act in a hospital room.

Investigators say that Xaviar was starving and even with a feeding tube, he wasn't gaining weight. Doctors at Children's Hospital suspected foul play, but couldn't prove it until the surveillance cameras were in place. The cameras revealed that the feeding tube was being disconnected.

The Langstons wanted to breast feed their child, but Xaviar wasn't getting the necessary nutrients so doctors prescribed formula. The Langstons were charged because they were denying that sustenance. Xaviar was placed in a foster home.

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Posted by: laroyce on Jul 25, 2008 at 12:11 PM
breastfeeding can work very well IF the mother is getting proper nutrition and the baby can suckle hard enough to get it. In my daughter's case she was severely diabetic and couldn't produce enough for her children so she had to go to formula. Yes she was disappointed she couldn't breastfeed amd later there were issues because the children had to have special formula because of other medical issues. But no one can tell me that those children aren't bonded to her. Some children are never breastfed and bonded just as tightly as the others. These were just bad parents period.
Posted by: Wisdom on Jul 25, 2008 at 11:34 AM
People of small caliber like to sit on high horses. -Magdalena Samozwaniec
Posted by: Dan the man on Jul 25, 2008 at 11:00 AM
I say treat them the same way in prison no food no water. Then they will see what this child was going thru and then have them fixed so they can no longer have children to do this to.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 25, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Either breastfeeding wasn't really happening, or this woman doesn't eat well enough to be giving him proper nutrition through her milk. Why don't they see that formula is BETTER than breast milk in this kind of case?
Posted by: Jarbeau on Jul 25, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Many of the comments about the story are worse than what this couple did. When you kick others when they're down, you are increasing the odds your head will someday be used as a soccer ball. If it makes you feel better to belittle others for their misdeeds, then by all means have at it. It will make you better fodder when you are exposed. If you are too good to mess up, goody for you; at least you've fooled yourselves.
Posted by: Sid on Jul 25, 2008 at 09:12 AM
The tv news said that they have five children under the age of six. All are in foster home now. I know the ACLU would be all over the court system if they were ordered sterilized, but I don't think these people should have any more children. They will just start over when they are released. The older children do not seem to have been starved, but the parents don't seem to have any sense with a premature baby. There is a lot more to this story than we are hearing - how are they affording five children, do they work, etc. Glad the baby will now have a chance.
Posted by: L on Jul 25, 2008 at 03:39 AM
Unbelievable. It's funny that some doctors will tell you nothing but breast milk for the first year. A baby is NOT going to gain weight that way! You, as a parent, need to take a look and say, "yeah, my child needs more than just breast milk," and make the corrections yourself. My children grew up just fine with having rice cereal gruel, runny mashed potatoes, watery plain gravy, and as they went along, more food was added. I realize that some people want to breast feed as long as they can, but in between, that child needs to have other nourishment. It was very stupid to pull such a stunt in the hospital! I don't know if they deserve jail, but they do need parenting lessons.
Posted by: Pam.... on Jul 25, 2008 at 01:50 AM
They have no IDEA......... of child care........than why did they even have one???? GO GUESS??????????
Posted by: sue on Jul 24, 2008 at 11:44 PM
i sincerely hope they get whatever is coming to them, they deserve to starve to death. perhaps mandatory sterilization is in order!
Posted by: Mom of 2 on Jul 24, 2008 at 09:17 PM
How crazy can people be???? If the baby isn't gaining weight you do whatever you have to so the child can thrive.
Posted by: anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 06:10 PM
My only question is-why did these sick people even have a baby to begin with?
Posted by: Delancey on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Unbelievable! I can certainly understand wanting to breast-feed your infant, but if it isn't working and the baby is not thriving do what the doctors tell you! I can not even comprehend what these parents were thinking!
Posted by: J on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:41 PM
What's wrong with people?
Posted by: Jay on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:35 PM
This is a sick couple who doesn't need a child. I hope they get whats coming to them in prison.
Posted by: Dan on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:24 PM
2 to 3 years?! Are you kidding me? They should be away forever. And don't tell me how they didn't mean it, they just wanted to bond with the baby, they made a mistake. It's hogwash and they need more than 2 to 3 years to think about that. Scumbags
Posted by: Ken on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Why wasn't this tried as attempted murder? Sounds like that's what it was to me. The little one would have died due to the parents' stupidity. I hope this child is loved by a new family.
Posted by: Appalled on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:34 PM
It never ceases to amaze me the disturbing stories I hear in the news. However, the stories about parents intentionally inflicting pain on their own child are occurring far too frequently. I am the mother of a chronically ill child. There is nothing I would not do to get her the necessary medical care prescribed by her doctors and cooperate with and show support for the doctors and nurses caring for her. Even more disheartening is thought of the many people who can not have children that would have gracious accepted this child, and these "parents" take it for granted. I guess it is sad that everyone is blessed with the ability to have children, but not all should be.
Posted by: Teresa on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:24 PM
What a pair. For the baby's sake, I hope they never get him back; I hope he is adopted by a sane person who cares enough to meet his basic needs and beyond. These two belong in the looney bin -- I hope they never have another child to starve and neglect.
Posted by: b on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Seriously how could you do this to your kids? I say let them starve to death!
Posted by: CS on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:16 PM
How sad that parents would make their child suffer like that and starve a poor, defenseless little baby. There are some awfully sick people in this world but those that harm innocent children are absolutely dispicable. I sure hope that they never get this baby back and may God help the next poor baby born from these two pathetic excuses for parents.
Posted by: Jim on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:05 PM
You have to have a licence to fish and hunt and drive but any two sub humans that have no business breeding can bring a child into the world
Posted by: Ticked of Mom on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:52 PM
2-3 years is not long enough. Deprive them of food. They need a kick in the butt.Hopefully Xaviar is doing better and their rights are terminated. People like that are the reason this system needs shook up.
Posted by: Why on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Why do people think they can hurt little kids? They are little angels given to us from God. I just don't understand it. I pray for them and for the little boy. This is so sad and breaks my heart
Posted by: SC on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:42 PM
JUSTICE! I DON'T THINK THAT THEY SHOULD FEED THEM EITHER WHILE THEY ARE LOCKED UP!
Posted by: I hope they read this... on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:41 PM
You are BOTH LOSERS!!!!
Posted by: ksk on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:41 PM
I'm so glad that this baby went to a good foster family. These parents MAKE ME SICK!!
Posted by: J on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Awful AWFUL Parents. what is this world coming to.
Posted by: Erin on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Hopefully the state can do something to make sure these two "wonderful" parents can no longer make babies. That would be just in this case.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:32 PM
they should lock them up and not feed them
Posted by: What the????? on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Woah woah woah. You two idiots wanted to breast feed your child so pulled out his feeding tubes? Yes I will say breastfeeding is very beneficial for a baby (I have a 7 month old) but more important is to know your child is getting the food/nourishment he needs and that he is gaining weight properly to maintain his health. How selfish and dumb are you? Look where it got you, your child is now living with someone else, but hey, at least he will be able to eat there. How sad, poor baby. Hope is loved in his new home.
Posted by: Eddy on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Selfish, worthless, dung....may you rot in prison !
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