http://www.courierpress.com/news/201...child-neglect/An Evansville couple are facing child neglect charges and their five children have been placed in their grandparents' care after a state caseworker found the living conditions in their home unhealthy and unsafe.
April Star Mathis, 30, and Michael Miller, 31, each face five counts of neglect of a dependent. Both have been released from jail on their own recognizance.
According to their arrest affidavits, the couple slept with clean sheets and comforters and had a digital television and other new electronics in their room while the children slept on two urine-smelling mattresses with no sheets and only two blankets in another room.
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A deputy sheriff investigating the house reported there was a strong urine and feces smell outside and inside the house, and trash, dirt, clothing, food and other items covered the floors and furniture. Two dogs roamed freely.
Five children younger than age 10 were living there, with only two mattresses and two blankets to sleep with in their bedroom. Their room had holes in the wall and exposed electrical wiring, according to the report. There was also spoiled food and trash covering the kitchen floor and stove. The bathroom was in similar condition.
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http://www.wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=11890727"There was one wall where all the dry wall was pulled off and the studs were showing," Wedding said. "Very heavy mold content on the walls. In the bathroom there was a two foot by three foot hole punched in the back of the bathroom wall."
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Ann Houseworth with Child Protective Services said at the time of the couple's arrest caseworkers were not working with the family on any other issue.
She said caseworkers will complete an assessment of the living conditions and talk to neighbors.
Chief Deputy Wedding said child neglect cases are not uncommon.
"There's a difference between clutter and a little of bit of disheveled looking and totally unsanitary conditions," Wedding said. "We make arrests when things become a health hazard, and we think no one, especially a young child, should be exposed to any environment to cause their health to suffer."
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Originally Posted by Dakota Valkyrie
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