The eldest of eight siblings sought help at a neighbor’s door, prompting a welfare check that uncovered alleged weeks of neglect in an RV in Bradley, Wisconsin. Authorities charged Megan Cis with multiple counts; she pleaded to amended misdemeanor charges and received two years’ probation while nine additional charges were dismissed but considered at sentencing. Children reported prolonged hunger, limited access to warm clothing, access to adults' drugs, and instances of physical abuse; investigators say one child required hospital treatment for malnutrition.
Eldest Child’s Knock Exposes Eight Siblings Living Hungry in Frozen RV; Mother Pleads To Misdemeanors
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The eldest of eight siblings walked to a neighbor’s door asking for food, triggering a welfare check that exposed alleged weeks of neglect inside an RV in Bradley, Wisconsin. The report led to multiple criminal counts against 33-year-old Megan Cis, who ultimately pleaded guilty to amended misdemeanor charges and received two years of probation.
Deputies began the investigation on Dec. 12 after the property owner called following the child’s plea for help. The criminal complaint alleges Cis and her partner, 42-year-old Wilber Edward Copeland III, left seven children alone in the RV after taking the youngest to a holiday parade. The eldest later told investigators the adults returned briefly and then left again, reportedly to buy vapes and marijuana.
Children told responding officers they had endured about four weeks with little or no food and had once run out of bottled water. Investigators reviewed jail calls and learned that at least one child required hospital treatment for malnutrition. The children also said they could access the adults’ drugs and paraphernalia inside the RV.
Keeping warm was another major concern: the eldest said the adults would not allow extra layers, boots, or jackets because they did not want clothing 'wasted,' even though a space heater and food were reportedly available. Temperatures were forecast to fall to 20 degrees below zero the night authorities checked the RV, and the property owner worried the propane heat could be lost if power failed.
The eldest also described physical abuse, saying Cis hit and kicked her over a dispute about the family dogs and recounted an earlier beating she had reported to a school counselor while the family lived in New York. She told investigators that adults instructed the children to lie to police and child protective services; children said adults had even installed a camera outside a prior residence to monitor visits from officers.
Prosecutors initially filed 12 counts against Cis, including child abuse and neglect, but the plea resolved to amended misdemeanor counts of victim intimidation, battery, and possession of THC, with nine other charges dismissed though considered at sentencing. Copeland has pleaded not guilty to his charges; a local report listed his next court activity for Oct. 5.
The case drew comparisons to other neglect prosecutions in the region and remains a reminder of the challenges authorities face when children lack safe, consistent care. Local agencies and courts will continue to monitor related proceedings and the children’s welfare.
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