Deputies in Upshur County discovered three children living among rotting trash and heaps of feces on Tuesday, leading to the arrest of a couple from West Virginia.
According to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, three children, ages two, five, and fifteen, were discovered living in filthy conditions in a house on Frazier Road in Rock Cave. Catara White, 25, and Trevor Howell, 26, were taken into custody.
Initially, deputies were tipped off about a lot of dogs wandering around, the floor of the house collapsing, and both suspects approaching neighbors to request food or showers for the kids.
Deputies discovered a water leak in the roof that caused it to collapse in above the beds, pots and pans with different stages of rotting food, a pile of vomit, fresh and dried dog excrement with blood in them, and heaps of rotting domestic trash when they arrived at the property.
According to court filings, the youngsters were going barefoot through the house, causing the feces to be splattered all over it.
Multiple newborn puppies and more bloody dog feces were found in the toilet.
The 5-year-old child was seen drinking from a Crock-Pot that was outside when deputies arrived on the scene. The boy, who was two years old, had several open “pick” wounds on his arm.
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According to deputies, marijuana smoking devices and a green leafy material were also discovered within the children’s reach.
According to court filings, the animals and children were taken out of the house.
White and Howell are currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $50,000 bond each for one count of felony child maltreatment.
