Todd Couple Charged After Kids Removed From Home
Police found holes in the walls, dead cats, and little food in the Middletown, Ohio, residence on September 29.
By Anthony Hoffmann ·
Four holes large enough to see outside punctured the walls and floors of a Middletown, Ohio, home when officers entered on September 29. Police described the interior as deplorable and unlivable.
Officers responded to the house on Cardinal Court after Middletown City Schools flagged two 10-year-old students as dirty and hungry. The children told officials they had no food to eat and that two cats were dead inside the residence.
Melanie and Christopher Todd were arrested following the welfare check. One of their four children told detectives that the holes in the structure were created by punching during episodes of anger by the parents, according to the criminal complaint.
The floor was covered in dirty clothes, trash, animal feces, and debris. The home was infested with bedbugs and cockroaches. Officers found little to no edible food inside the property.
Police removed all four children and placed them with other family members. Officers also took custody of four cats, pet fish, mice, gerbils, and pet tarantulas.
The couple faces four counts of child endangerment and several counts of animal cruelty. Both remain in custody at the Butler County Jail and are scheduled for arraignment on Thursday.
Source: WBTV
