An Indiana couple was arrested on neglect charges after a naked child showed up on a neighbor’s front porch last month covered in bug bites.
According to WEHT, the neighbor called 911 and reported he believed the child came from next door and that she had “significantly” foul odor.
Deputies from Vanderburgh County visited the child’s residence following a 911 call made by a concerned neighbor and met with Patrick Colbert. They immediately detected a potent odor of ammonia emanating from the house. Upon inspection of the child’s bedroom, which Colbert claimed the child was occupying, they discovered a scene of utter chaos, with a soiled diaper and an untidy bed strewn with toys.
Colbert openly admitted to the deputies that there was an ongoing case with children’s services stemming from a similar incident the previous November. The authorities from Children’s Services were contacted and swiftly took custody of the visibly neglected child, who seemed to have not been bathed for quite some time. The child was promptly transported to a hospital, where medical staff observed bug bites believed to be from bed bugs.
According to Colbert, his wife Jessica is employed full-time as a nurse, and he confessed to letting the living conditions deteriorate due to feeling overwhelmed by the situation.
Detectives viewed photos of the home taken by deputies showing significant roach activity and other unlivable conditions. Police finally arrested the couple on Thursday and promptly released them on $750 bonds, according to WEVV.
