Lower Macungie Couple Charged With Endangering Children; Twin 15-Year-Old Boys Weighed 53, 55 Pounds and Were Forced Outside Nearly Naked in Cold Weather as Punishment: DA Holihan

**Update: The District Attorney will hold a news conference this afternoon in response to media interest. This story might go national. So far, the details of the allegations are horrifying.**

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

A man and woman from Lower Macungie have been charged with endangering the welfare of two teenagers in their care.

Joshua Dechant, 36, and Tracy Dechant, 42, face two felony counts each. They are being held in Lehigh County Prison, bail set at $75,000.

The facts, from Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan:

Jan.27, 2025

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

Joshua Dechant, DOB 12/30/1988, and his wife, Tracy Dechant, DOB 9/3/1982, 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, 2025 in Lehigh County Central Court.

On Jan. 22, 2025, 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. Troopers made contact with the boy whose name will not be released; nor the name of his twin brother. Both victims will be referred to as Victim 1 and Victim 2 in this news release.

Victim 1 told troopers that his stepfather, Joshua Dechant, forced him to go outside naked as a form of punishment. At the time this occurred on Jan. 22, 2025, the temperature outside was in the single digits. Victim 1 told troopers he was outside for approximately 20 minutes and his feet were extremely red from the cold and snow.

Troopers also noted Victim 1 was “very malnourished and extremely thin,” according to the criminal complaint. Neighbors told police that Victim 1 had knocked on their door seeking help and once inside the home, Victim 1 would not stop eating. Trooper made contact with Joshua and Tracy Dechant as well as Victim 2.

Both Victim 1 and Victim 2 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, Victim 1 weighed approximately 53 pounds and Victim 2 weighed approximately 55 pounds. Medical personnel related that 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.

As in every criminal case, the fact that arrests have occurred or complaints have been filed are merely accusations; and the defendants, Joshua Dechant and Tracy Dechant, are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.