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Couple Accused of Starving Child Appear in Court

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ST. PETER, MINN. -

The North Mankato couple accused of starving one of their four children made their first criminal appearance Tuesday.

In court the judge said Russell and Mona Hauer must follow the conditions set by the judge in the civil case who ruled the that 8-year-old boy allegedly starved by the couple will stay in foster care, but that the boy's three siblings will remain with their parents.

The Hauers' attorney Christopher Rosengren says, "The judge has made a very thoughtful and reasonable decision based on the information available and has decided that the other children can remain. I think it speaks volumes as to just how week these charges are and the allegations are unfounded."

The couple is charged with neglect and malicious punishment of a child.

They will have a pretrial for the criminal case on December 2, and a civil trial on whether to terminate the couple's parental rights is scheduled for January.