4 young children found in filthy conditions with bug bites, rotting food, and matted hair
10/05/2023 12:30 pm PDT
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (TCD) -- Police arrested a couple this week on suspicion of child abuse after finding four children, all younger than 4 years old, living in unsanitary and unsafe conditions.
According to the Grand Island Police Department, on Tuesday, Oct. 3, shortly after 9 p.m., officers responded to an apartment building off of Highway 30 to a report of suspected child abuse. At the scene, officers spoke with Daniel Fontaine and Amanda Wolfe, noting a "foul odor could be smelled" coming from them and inside their home.
During a search of their apartment, police located four children — a 3-year-old male, 2-year-old female, 1-year-old male, and newborn female — all suffering from diaper rashes, sores, and possible bug bites. Police said Fontaine and Wolfe endangered the children and "intentionally and knowingly cruelly" confined them to car seats, strollers, or playpens.
According to police, Fontaine and Wolfe allegedly deprived the children of proper food, clothing, and care.
An affidavit obtained by KSNB-TV alleges the children were restrained to the various apparatuses for a long period of time. Their hair also appeared to be matted. Police reportedly found one of the children in a playpen with rotting food and trash.
The refrigerator and freezer were allegedly full of moldy food and bugs. The affidavit says the home had cockroaches as well as animal and human feces on the bathroom floor.
According to KSNB, the baby appeared small for its age and weighed only 9 pounds at the hospital.
Police arrested Fontaine on four counts of intentional child abuse, two counts of resisting arrest, and obstructing a peace officer. Wolfe was arrested on four counts of child abuse.
Fontaine’s additional charges stem from his alleged refusal to follow officers’ commands and his threats to barge into the home while holding two of his children during the search.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services took custody of the four children on a 48-hour hold.
Officials had reportedly confronted the couple about the unsafe conditions in the past, and the three older children were removed from the home in July 2022.
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