ST. PAUL (AP) - A court ruling stripping a Minnesota couple of parental rights of their malnourished child has been upheld.

The state Appeals Court on Monday ruled an 8-year-old adopted boy was justifiably removed from the Nicollet County home. But the three-judge appeals panel also ruled that there was no reason to terminate custody of the couple's three other children, as the county was weighing.

The boy was the average weight of a 4-year-old when authorities intervened. He had developed unusual food behaviors that officials say were made worse by his parents' actions.

The boy has been with foster parents since being released from the hospital last year and has exhibited normal eating habits.

Mona and Russell Hauer reached plea deals on neglect charges and will be sentenced later this month.

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