A woman in the United States has been accused of trading her foster daughter for a pet monkey after subjecting the child to years of physical, emotional, and mental abuse. The disturbing case came to light in November 2024 when an anonymous tipster contacted the Department of Social Services in Troy, Missouri, reporting that a child was being abused by her foster mother.
Police Investigation Uncovers Years of Abuse
Law enforcement officers interviewed the victim in December 2024, and she detailed three years of mistreatment at the hands of 70-year-old Brenda Deutsch. The child claimed Deutsch struck her with a paddle, slapped her, and physically abused other family members. Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wood stated that Deutsch inflicted "emotional abuse, physical abuse, and also a level of neglect" against the child.
“We had some information children were hoarding food, which is always something you look for,” Wood said. “Emotional abuse such as throwing their clothes away. Taking them to have them evaluated for psychological issues, whether they have it or not, as a level of control. Sending children to residential treatment facilities as a form of punishment.”
School Reports Lead to Discovery of Child in Texas
In February 2025, the victim's school reported excessive absences, prompting an investigation by the school resource officer. Authorities discovered that the child was no longer in Missouri but had been sent to Texas. Police made contact with the person caring for the child in Texas, who turned out to be a friend of Deutsch. A witness told investigators that both Deutsch and the Texan friend owned exotic animals, and that Deutsch had traded the foster child for a monkey.
Police learned that the Texan caretaker frequently left the house for days at a time to tend to their animals, including a 10-day trip to New Mexico. During those absences, the child was sent to stay at another home belonging to the caretaker's adult children, both of whom were disabled and unable to care for the child. “From what we can tell the child was taking care of them,” Wood reported.
Charges Filed
Deutsch has been charged with two counts of abuse or neglect of a child and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. The case highlights severe failures in the foster care system and the exploitation of vulnerable children.
