The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
An Arizona couple is accused of confining their two young children in a bedroom around the clock under reportedly extreme and unsanitary conditions, according to investigators.
Sources report police were alerted after a concerned person noticed a naked child through an apartment window while working nearby. That tip prompted officers to conduct a welfare check in late January. When they arrived, they allegedly found conditions that raised concerns about the children’s safety and development.
Investigators reportedly discovered that the children, ages 4 and 6, were kept inside a single room for most or all of the day. The room allegedly contained a gate, and the bathroom was reportedly blocked off with zip ties placed on the doorknob, preventing the children from using the toilet. Officers also allegedly observed widespread filth inside the apartment, including feces and an insect infestation.
According to sources, the home was described as cluttered to the point of being unsafe, with items piled throughout the living space and bathroom. Authorities reportedly noted that the children showed signs of developmental delays, with one child unable to speak and the other only minimally verbal.
Investigators say the children had not attended school and reportedly had not received medical care since birth. One parent allegedly told officers the children were not toilet-trained and did not want to use a portable toilet placed in the bedroom. The confinement was reportedly intended to manage behavioral issues.
Sources report that the dad worked long hours outside the home and claimed limited involvement in maintaining the apartment. However, investigators allege the mom admitted the children were kept behind the gate at all times, even when they were both present.
The pair was taken into custody. They are each facing preliminary charges of two counts of child abuse and were held in lieu of $25,000 bonds. The children were reportedly removed from the home as the investigation continues.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a domestic violence offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.