PORTAGE, Wis. -- A Columbia County judge Monday ordered the alleged leader of a gang of drifters and his girlfriend, who are charged with killing another member of the group and torturing her son, to stand trial.

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Judge Alan White ordered a trial for Michael Sisk, 25, and his girlfriend, Candace Clark, 23. They are charged with killing Tammie Garlin, 36. Her body was found buried behind their rented Portage apartment in June. The couple also is accused of torturing Garlin's then 11-year-old son, who was found locked in a closet. They allegedly beat Garlin's son with extension cords and pots and pans, burned him with hot water and forced him to sleep naked in the closet.

The daylong preliminary hearing included graphic testimony about the condition of the boy found locked in a closet, covered with bruises and burns and malnourished.

Prosecutors have dropped murder and hiding a corpse charges against Michaela Clerc, 21, another member of the group and Garlin's alleged lover, in return for her waiving a preliminary hearing, but she still faces a number of charges, WISC-TV reported.

Garlin's 16-year-old daughter, Felicia, also faces charges, but her case was moved to juvenile court.

Pediatrician, Authorities Outline Abuse Suffered By Boy

During Monday's hearing, a pediatrician from University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital said that the boy was the most beaten child that she's ever seen that was still living.

Dr. Barbara Knox said that the boy was in grave condition when he arrived at the emergency room on June 14.

Knox said that he was "profoundly malnourished" and had pneumonia. He had burns, bruises and scars all over his body. The pediatrician testified that the boy looked like a "concentration camp survivor." Several of his fingertips and three toes had to be amputated because they were burned so badly.

"(He) had many serious, serious conditions that could have subsequently led to his death at any moment," Knox said.

Knox said that she interviewed and examined the boy, who was allegedly repeatedly burned with hot water, WISC-TV reported.

After the burning, the boy said that he was kept in locked closets, which is where he was found by a Portage police officer.

"He immediately started crying and repeated not to take him to jail," said Portage Police Officer Teresa Johnson.

Portage Police Detective-Lt. Mark Hahn said that in interviews with the boy, he was asked if he was told not to tell. He said that Sisk told him that "he had killed people" and "not to say nothin'" because "he'd kill me."

Hahn asked the boy about a ring that his mother wore and he said that he'd last seen it "on her finger," but she took it off because his sister was "smashing her fingers." After authorities showed him the ring, the boy started crying.

Hahn said in interviews with Clark, she told him that Sisk killed Tammie Garlin.

"There were some problems with her breathing," Hahn said. "He shut the door. After 5 or 10 minutes, came out and said, 'She's gone now,' or that she's dead."

The child's doctor said that the boy will deal with injuries and amputations of fingers and toes for the rest of his life.