Wisconsin Mother Pleads Guilty After Children Allegedly Left Hungry in Freezing RV

WHITEWATER, Wis. — A Wisconsin mother has pleaded guilty to criminal charges after authorities said she and her partner left eight children living in a freezing recreational vehicle without enough food, while the adults had a working space heater and adequate food of their own.

Megan Cis, 33, entered guilty pleas to charges of intimidating a victim to dissuade reporting, battery and possession of THC. Under a plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed eight counts of child neglect and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cis was sentenced to two years of probation. She must also write an individual apology letter to each of the children and is prohibited from having contact with six of them.

Her partner, Wilber Copeland, continues to face criminal charges in the case. He has not been convicted.

Investigation Began When a Child Asked a Neighbor for Food

The disturbing case came to light on Dec. 12, 2025, after one of the children reportedly walked to a neighbor’s home and asked for food.

According to authorities, the child told the neighbor that the parents were not at the RV and that there was nothing to eat inside.

The neighbor contacted the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, prompting deputies to investigate the family’s living conditions in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

What deputies reportedly found inside the RV raised immediate concerns.

Investigators described a chaotic and unsanitary environment, with rotten food, dog feces, inadequate heating and drug-related items found inside. The eight children were reportedly living in the RV, while authorities said their basic needs were not being adequately met.

The children were subsequently removed from the home and placed in foster care.

Children Allegedly Forced to Endure the Cold

One of the most troubling allegations involved the temperature inside the RV.

According to the criminal complaint, the oldest child told investigators that the children had to sleep in the cold and were not allowed to put on additional clothing, boots or jackets because their parents allegedly did not want them “wasting clothes.”

The children allegedly had to endure the cold while their mother and stepfather had access to a functioning space heater.

Authorities further alleged that the adults had enough food for themselves while the children were left without adequate food.

The contrast became one of the central details of the investigation: children allegedly asking a neighbor for something to eat while the adults had their own food supply and a source of heat.

Allegations of Physical Abuse

Investigators also heard allegations of physical abuse.

One child reportedly told deputies that Cis had lifted her by her sweatshirt, choked her and punched her in the ribs. The child allegedly suffered a black eye as a result.

Other children reportedly told authorities that Cis kicked them in the ankles when they failed to take one of the family’s six dogs outside.

The children also allegedly said their parents instructed them to lie to police about what was happening inside the RV.

Another allegation involved Copeland. According to reports, one child said that after being injured, the stepfather told the child to simply “suck it up” rather than providing pain medication.

These allegations formed part of the broader criminal investigation into the conditions in which the children had been living.

Mother Accepts Plea Deal

Rather than going to trial on all of the original charges, Cis reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.

She pleaded guilty to intimidating a victim to dissuade reporting, battery and possession of THC. In exchange, eight child-neglect counts and a drug-paraphernalia charge were dismissed.

The court sentenced her to two years of probation.

As part of the sentence, Cis must write separate apology letters to each of the children. She is also legally barred from contacting six of them.

The children range in age from 3 to 11 years old, according to reports.

Stepfather Still Faces Charges

While Cis’s criminal case has reached a resolution through the plea agreement, Copeland’s case remains active.

Copeland still faces charges including being party to a crime of intimidating a victim by threatening force, being party to a crime of child abuse involving intentionally causing harm, and eight counts of child neglect. He also faces drug-related charges.

A status conference is scheduled as the case moves forward.

Unlike Cis, Copeland has not entered a guilty plea and has not been convicted of the allegations against him.

A Child’s Plea for Food Exposed the Situation

The investigation ultimately began with a simple request from a child: asking a neighbor for food.

That moment brought authorities to a home where investigators say eight children were living in harsh conditions, surrounded by inadequate heating, spoiled food and unsanitary conditions.

The case has now taken two different legal paths. Cis has admitted guilt to three criminal charges and received probation, while Copeland continues to fight the remaining allegations against him.

The children have been removed from the RV and placed in foster care as the legal proceedings continue.

Source: Law&Crime; Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office; Wausau Daily Herald; WSAW