The MUSOLF Adoptees - 7 and 9 yo/ Accused: DeAnna & Jeffrey Musolf - Waseca MN

WASECA —
A judge has ordered that parental rights be terminated for a Waseca couple facing charges of child abuse.

DeAnna and Jeffrey Musolf must forfeit rights to their four adopted
special needs children, ruled Waseca County District Court Judge Larry
Collins, who wrote in a court order that the Musolfs “engage in
parenting practices that are physically and emotionally harmful.”

The couple had been the subject of a recent lengthy non-juried trial to
settle the parental rights issue. They also face criminal charges of
felony neglect and endangerment involving two adopted daughters with
special needs.

Last spring the Musolfs lost custody of those two girls, 7 and 9 at the
time, and now have lost parental rights to the four other children
ranging in age from 6-12.

The couple also has four biological children.

Regarding the treatment of the two girls, Collins wrote there was clear
and convincing evidence they were confined to dark, bare bedrooms for
extended periods, denied sufficient nourishment and clothing, punished
by not being allowed into the bathroom for two days and prevented from
attending school as discipline for their behaviors.

Collins wrote the Musolfs’ rights were terminated due to “the egregious
harm, breach of parental duties and palpable unfitness” they
demonstrated.

He also described the couple’s disciplinary practices as “sometimes unkind, cruel and just plain mean.”

A pretrial hearing on the criminal charges is scheduled for Nov. 8.