2/24/12 – A father and step-mother accused of starving a 15-year-old girl in Madison had their court cases delayed Thursday. And the girl’s step-brother waived a preliminary hearing. 18-year-old Joshua Drabek was ordered to stand trial on three felony charges that he molested and abused the girl. 40-year-old Chad Chritton and 42-year-old Melinda Drabek-Chritton said they more needed time to get lawyers, after they were turned down for free representation by a state public defender. Both are now applying for public attorneys from Dane County, and the status of their cases will be reviewed next Friday. The parents are both charged with reckless endangerment and child abuse. Prosecutors said the girl was starved for years. Authorities said she ran from the house earlier this month in just her pajamas, and a passer-by called 9-1-1. Officials said the girl weighed 70 pounds when she was discovered, and had later gained 17 pounds in a short time under foster care. Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne said more charges are possible in the case.
