2 Fla. caregivers arrested after kids found living in home with rot, mold, and buckets of urine
02/13/2024 12:51 pm PST
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (TCD) -- Police recently arrested the caregivers of two young children who were found to be living in an unkempt residence filled with drugs and "utter filth."
In a Feb 12 news release, St. Petersburg Police said officers responded to a home in "deplorable condition" with rot and mold, where they located two unresponsive adults, 49-year-old Nathan Larkins and 31-year-old Cortney Poling. They were reportedly "surrounded by drug paraphernalia."
Police said there appeared to be cigarette butts on the floor and "buckets of urine."
According to an affidavit reviewed by WTSP-TV, officers discovered various pipes used for marijuana and crack cocaine.
Officials located a 1-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, whose primary caregivers were Larkins and Poling. Both children were reportedly covered in bug bites and rashes, had lice, and had not been properly bathed recently.
Larkins allegedly burned the boy’s chest and arms with cigarettes numerous times, causing permanent scarring.
According to WTSP, one of the children had a "flimsy" baby gate that could easily be taken off, giving the child access to drugs in "plain view."
The home’s door had allegedly been removed off the hinges and was leaning against the frame.
WTSP reports the knives and other dangerous items in the home were "easily accessible" to the children.
Inside the fridge, investigators reportedly found various condiments, a package of bologna, and eggs, but there wasn’t anything else to properly nourish the children.
The minors had allegedly lived in the residence for approximately three months. Officers said they removed the children from the home and arrested Larkins and Poling on two counts of child neglect. Larkins also faces a charge of child abuse — aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.
Larkins and Poling both remain held in the Pinellas County Jail.
According to WTSP, an overdose was reported at the home about a week before the arrests.
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