Authorities have revealed shocking new details surrounding the tragic death of a 4-year-old boy in South Carolina, allegedly at the hands of his own mother and her husband, who was serving as a police officer at the time. The gruesome abuse that culminated in the child’s death has left the community in disbelief.

The accused, 30-year-old Joshua Emanuel Lamar Latimer and 24-year-old Destiny Shay Dionne, are facing serious charges, including homicide by child abuse and unlawful conduct toward a child. This information comes from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, a trusted source in the ongoing investigation.

The distressing scene unfolded in September when deputies from the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Forest Acres Circle in Walhalla, located about 45 miles west of Greenville. Upon arrival, officers discovered the lifeless body of young Isaiah Dionne. His severe malnutrition was immediately apparent; the boy weighed a mere 21 pounds, far below the healthy weight for a child his age.

The arrest warrant paints a grim picture, noting that Isaiah’s ribs were alarmingly prominent and his eyes were sunken, indicative of extreme neglect.

Currently, both suspects are being held in the Oconee County Jail without bond. Latimer, who previously worked as a trooper with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, was dismissed from his position following his arrest, underscoring the severity of the charges he faces.

Local Fox affiliate WHNS reported from Dionne’s bond hearing Thursday in which prosecutors laid out additional allegations. Tenth Circuit Solicitor Micah Black revealed some of the observations of first responders.

“He was basically skin and bones, for a lack of a better word,” Black reportedly said. “One of the EMS personnel basically described it as … similar to something you’d see on TV, to starving children in Africa.”

The boy was also forced to sleep on a blanket instead of a bed and the curtains to his room were stapled shut, per cops. Investigators believe the suspects allegedly locked Isaiah in the closet and forced him to drink water from the toilet.

WHNS reports that the boy lived with his maternal grandmother for the first two years of his life, but moved in with his mother and Latimer when the couple started dating. After Isaiah moved in with them, he was allegedly treated differently than his younger sibling who appeared to be fine. He didn’t see a doctor over a span of two years, cops say.

Neighbors told cops when they took food to the family, they would allegedly witness Isaiah eat adult-sized meals which they found odd.

The judge denied bond and ordered Dionne to remain in jail. If convicted, the suspects will face between 20 years and life behind bars.

Isaiah’s obituary called him “the most beautiful baby boy.”

“As Isaiah grew, so did his personality. Knowing him was such an amazing experience; he was always happy. Isaiah’s smile could light up a room, and his laugh would warm your heart,” the obituary said.