A Tennessee couple is facing serious charges after authorities discovered two young children living in shocking, unsafe conditions in a roach-infested home.
Leon Woods, 65, and his girlfriend Carol Phillips, 36, have each been charged with two counts of child neglect after Chattanooga police found the children — one just 1 year old — during a wellness check at the couple’s residence. Both children were reportedly still in diapers.
Police were called to the home on Nov. 21 following a reported argument between the adults, according to WTVC. When officers arrived, they found the front door blocked by several tables, forcing them to knock on a window. Woods eventually came to let them in.
Once inside, officers were reportedly horrified. The home was described as overflowing with filth, clutter, and a strong stench of rotting food and body odor. Roaches covered the porch, refrigerator, and even the floors inside the home. Officers said the infestation was so severe that roaches crawled on them during their inspection.
The children were found in dire conditions. One was crawling on a roach-covered floor wearing only a diaper. The other, the 1-year-old, was discovered lying face down on a dirty mattress in a bedroom. The home reportedly contained dangerous hazards, including sharp metal gates and nails scattered on the floor.
A neighbor, who asked not to be identified, told WTVC she had spent weeks fearing for the children’s safety. She said police had been called to the home multiple times before the arrests and filed at least two child abuse reports in recent months.
Court records show Woods and Phillips are scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 5. Woods is also listed on the Tennessee sex offender registry as an “offender against children” and has been charged with violating his conditions of supervision.
Unfortunately, many children across the country live under such conditions, the authorities are aware of the abuse, and they do nothing. I know of two children in West Virginia who are victims of abusive parents and live in squalor that rivals the situation described in this article. Over the years, I have reported the conditions (complete with photos, narratives, and phone calls) to Child Protective Services and police on multiple occasions. Even the principal of the childrens’ elementary school reported them. CPS did go to the home to investigate on two occasions, but did nothing. On one occasion the parents refused to allow the officials to enter the home and threatened the officials. The officials simply departed and did nothing. I live across the country in another state and don’t know what else I can do.
These people need to be removed and never see another child.Hope someone who lives children get to adopt these kids
Those poor babies!!