Couple charged after 4 children removed from ‘deplorable conditions’, police say

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WXIX/Gray News) - A couple is facing multiple charges of child endangerment and animal cruelty following a welfare check at their home in September, authorities said.

Melanie and Christopher Todd were arrested after officers responded to their home on Cardinal Court to check on their children and animals, according to the criminal complaint.

Police described the living conditions as “deplorable and unlivable.”

Officers conducted the welfare check Sept. 29 after Middletown City Schools reported that two 10-year-old children appeared dirty and said they had no food to eat, police said.

The children also said two cats were dead inside their home, the complaint said.

During the check, officers found holes large enough to see outside in the walls and floors. One of the couple’s four children said the holes were caused by punching when Melanie and Christopher would get angry, the complaint said.

The home also had little to no edible food inside, officers said.

According to the complaint, the floors were covered in dirty clothes, trash, animal feces, and debris. The house was also infested with bedbugs and cockroaches.

Police removed all four children from the home and placed them with other family members. Officers also removed four cats, pet fish, mice, gerbils and pet tarantulas.

The couple is facing four counts of child endangerment and several counts of animal cruelty.

Both are in custody at the Butler County Jail. They will be arraigned Thursday.