Custodial dad, stepmom arrested for making daughter live outside in backyard (Fort Pierce, Florida)

Dad JUAN MORENO is obviously custodial, though (of course) that's not made explicit here. Nor do we have any idea whatever happened to this girl's mother. It's as if a stork dropped the baby into Fort Pierce, Florida....Amazing how the women who actually gave birth to these children (commonly known as mothers) are constantly erased from the story. Is she dead, alive? Was there a child custody court battle? You tell me. Your guess is as good as mine.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.

http://www.imperfectparent.com/topics/2011/04/11/father-and-stepmom-arrested-for-making-girl-live-outside-in-backyard/

Father and stepmom arrested for making girl live outside in backyardApril 11th, 2011 by Jessica Carlson
A Florida couple has been arrested on charges of child abuse after police responded to a 911 hangup call. When the police arrived at the Fort Pierce, Florida residence to make sure everything was okay, they noticed 3 children, two of which were seemingly well cared for and another child who was dirty and unkempt. The 2 children and the dishevled girl told the police that the one girl was forced to live in the backyard and that their stepmother wouldn’t allow the girl inside while their father was working.

The allegedly abused child is reportedly unable to shower inside or use the indoor bathroom and uses a bucket of water to wash her clothes and is forced to urinate and defecate outdoors. The girl is without a bed but is periodically allowed inside at night, to sleep on the bare floors without sheets or blankets.

According to The Palm Beach Post, both parents were also charged with domestic battery because they were physically fighting with each other when police arrived. Juan Moreno, age 34 was charged with felony on top of a misdemeanor for reportedly trying to strangle Joann Moreno, age 31.

The children, whose ages are not yet disclosed, have been taken into DCFS custody.