3-year-old boy with “swollen joints and poor limb development” died of starvation as his mother shoved her fingers down his throat for years after his meals to force him to throw up

Minnesota – In a disturbing incident in Minnesota, a 35-year-old mother, identified as S. Dahir, has been charged in connection with her 3-year-old son’s death, as, according to investigators, she systematically abused the boy for years, forcing the boy to throw up after his meals by shoving her fingers down his throat, leaving him so malnourished that his ribs were visible, his joints swollen, and his body too weak to survive

Dahir has been arrested and faces one count of second-degree manslaughter, four counts of child endangerment, and one count of harassment–stalking following the death of her toddler. Court records paint a picture of prolonged neglect and cruelty that authorities say left the boy gravely malnourished. The investigation began in June 2023 when emergency responders rushed to a park after Dahir’s son collapsed. Paramedics immediately noted the child appeared dangerously malnourished: his ribs were clearly visible, his joints were “quite swollen” and had “very poor limb development,” and he had several missing or broken teeth.

Dahir claimed her son had been ill for a week, saying he had refused food the day before and that she brought her children to the park to “sweat out” the sickness. Witnesses described her calling for help when the boy’s eyes rolled back as she tried to give him water. A bystander quickly dialed 911. The boy was taken to a hospital where doctors confirmed he was severely underweight and dehydrated. A CT scan revealed “volume loss of his brain,” which medical staff linked to malnutrition. Despite intensive treatment, the boy never regained consciousness and died on July 13. His autopsy revealed a brain injury caused by cardiac arrest, compounded by malnutrition, a staph infection, strep throat, bronchopneumonia, and an E. coli-based urinary tract infection.

The abuse extended beyond neglect. Court documents state that Dahir’s surviving children told investigators their mother routinely forced them to throw up after meals if they gained weight. Methods included pressing objects into their throats, sitting on their stomachs, or shoving her fingers down their throats until they vomited. Two siblings described seeing their mother force their brother to throw up even as his condition deteriorated. Doctors who reviewed the case noted that such severe malnutrition significantly increased the child’s risk of life-threatening infections and made his survival unlikely once complications set in.

While the 3-year-old boy was hospitalized, Dahir allegedly interfered with his medical equipment multiple times, at one point requiring staff to physically remove her hands. Staff also reported seeing her manipulate his jaw to make him bite his tongue, press on his chest, and rub his throat in ways that endangered his fragile state. These repeated incidents eventually led to her visits being restricted to times when others were present.

The victim’s father, who had recently returned from overseas, told investigators he barely recognized his son due to his condition. He added that Dahir often refused to take the children to doctors, claiming physicians “kill people.” After the 3-year-old boy’s death, medical staff confirmed the couple’s four surviving children were medically evaluated and found to be underweight. Once placed in their father’s custody, doctors reported significant weight gain, indicating long-term neglect had been at play, according to the complaint. Dahir is scheduled for a court appearance on August 6.