A Neopit couple whose 9-month-old infant suffered broken bones and bruises while in their care were recently sentenced in federal court after being indicted on child abuse and neglect charges.
According to court documents:
Louis A. Tucker and Nyomi L.M. Acosta were arrested after Menominee Tribal Police received an anonymous tip about bruises on Acosta’s infant’s back, face and head that appeared to be made by an adult.
MTP and a social worker visited the couple on Oct. 20, 2025, and found the baby in a bedroom. The MTP officer saw bruising to the infant’s face and head and sores around her mouth.
Tucker blamed Acosta’s 4- and 2-year-old children for injuries to the infant, saying they learned violent behavior from their own father. He denied injuring the child but said a burn on the child was caused by accidentally spilling hot ramen noodle broth on her.
Acosta agreed to answer questions; she said she didn’t know how the baby was bruised, and the injuries must have occurred overnight as she hadn’t noticed them until this morning.
Tucker and Acosta were taken into custody for child neglect.
Police also spoke with a family who watched the children when Acosta and Tucker went for a methadone treatment in September. They gave a tribal detective several photos they took of the infant’s burn and bruises.
The infant was taken to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee where fractures of her left ulna and radius in her forearm were revealed in X-rays. Doctors estimated the fractures occurred a few weeks prior to their examination.
The doctors also confirmed the burn and bruises noted by the tribal officer.
Tucker and Acosta both faced maximum penalties of 7 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to child neglect. Federal prosecutors recommended a three-year prison term for Tucker, which U.S. District Judge William Griesbach imposed on May 15.
Prosecutors asked for a year-and-a-day prison term for Acosta. She was sentenced May 29 to six months. The couple will each be on supervised release for three years after completing their sentences.
Court documents did not mention the disposition of Acosta’s children.
