Cody Deschler, left, and Emily Ferg appear in Waupaca County court Aug. 29, 2023. They are accused in connection with the death of their 2-year-old daughter. PC: Fox 11 Online
WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Two Iola parents made initial court appearances Tuesday, after their 2-year-old daughter died in the slats of a homemade bed while they were taking a nap.
Cody Deschler, 30, and Emily Ferg, 27, are each charged with neglecting a child–consequence is death for the June 12 death of their daughter, Cyrilla, at an Iola home.
Both were given time to find an attorney. Deschler returns to court Sept. 26, while Ferg returns to court Oct. 10. Both were released on signature bonds.
“While Ferg and Deschler slept (Cyrilla) slid, feet first, between the slats of the home-made bed, due to the distance between the slats and their purposeful design (as admitted by Ferg) (Cyrilla)’s legs and torso fit easily between them but her shoulders became wedged. Due to the height of the bed (Cyrilla)’s feet would not reach the ground. These two unsafe features caused (Cyrilla) to asphyxiate and die. Because Ferg and Deschler were asleep and because the television was on in (Cyrilla)’s room neither parent heard or checked on (Cyrilla). The lofted bed was designed and built by Ferg with Deschler’s assistance,” the complaint states.
According to the criminal complaint, Deschler told police Cyrilla had figured out how to climb out of the bed. They knew it was unsafe and intended to make modifications.
“Ferg acknowledged that it was known that the bed as it was built was hazardous and noted she intended lowering Cyrilla’s bed to floor level to make it safe but that had not been done,” the complaint says. “Emily was asked about the spacing of the slats and she stated that she made sure that Cyrilla ‘s head could fit through the slats and if her shoulders could not fit through the slats, she believed that way Cyrilla would never be able to get stuck. Ferg never explained any consideration of the possibility of Cyrilla attempting to climb out of the bed between the slats feet first, which is what caused her to become stuck and ultimately resulted in her death by asphyxiation.”
If convicted, the maximum penalty would be 25 years in prison.
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