This story has been updated from an earlier version.
Freeport couple Hanchelove Decius and Evenson Francois were indicted for charges of physical abuse and malnourishment of their three-year-old daughter, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.
Decius, 27, and Francois, 28, were arraigned before Judge Joy Watson on charges of assault in the first degree and reckless endangerment, which both defendants pleaded not guilty to. Both were remanded and are due back in court on April 24 at 9 a.m. If convicted, the defendants face up to 25 years in prison.
Donnelly cited the indictment, stating that the abuse allegedly began approximately in October 2024, with the defendants subjecting their daughter to months of abuse and food deprivation.
"After suffering severe third-degree burns, medical professionals made several disturbing discoveries of alleged prolonged physical abuse when they examined the defendants' three-year-old daughter," said Donnelly. "The scaring, bruising and other injuries indicated that the child had been abused for months, and her emaciated appearance suggested she was also being denied basic nourishment to survive."
Donnelly added that thanks to proper care, the unnamed girl is recovering from her alleged abuse.
"My prosecutors will ensure that they (the defendants) are held responsible for every scar," Donnelly said.
On June 8, 2025, while in the care of Decius, the girl's mother, the girl was scalded with a burning hot liquid that left her with third degree burns on her chest and lower body. The girl was taken to Nassau University Medical Center and later Stony Brook University Hospital where she was treated for scarring lesions, lacerations and bruises. Hospital staff determined that the injuries were consistent with trauma from inflicted abuse.
The girl also was found to have scarring on her forehead, nose and face with an open laceration on her right eyebrow and chin in addition to being severely malnourished and visibly emaciated. All the injuries were in various stages of healing but had gone unproperly treated.
The Deputy Communications Director of the District Attorney’s Office, Rachel Yonkunas, told the Herald on behalf of a spokesperson for the case that there were five other children placed in the defendants’ home besides the victim. All six children have been placed in foster care.
Both defendants were arrested this year by the Nassau County Police Department Special Victims Squad. Francois was arrested on April 10, and Decius was arrested on April 13.
When asked why there was a 10-month gap between the June 2025 hospital incident and the defendants’ arrest this week, Yonkunas only detailed that, “The indictment was the result of an extensive investigation that included multiple record requests and interviews.”
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Gabriella Malfi.
Decius is represented by Joe LoPiccolo, Esq., and Francois is represented by the Legal Aid Society.
