Eight adults have been arrested after seven children were found in a “filthy and deplorable” incest home with faeces smeared on the walls. Authorities suspect the adults, aged between 21 and 63, of a range of serious offences, including incest, rape and human trafficking.
Conditions described as deplorable
Investigators described the conditions as “very filthy and deplorable,” according to court documents obtained by local Fox affiliate WDKY. Officers from the city of Richmond said the entire property was permeated with the stench of faeces and urine. Court documents stated that faeces was smeared across floors, stairs, and surfaces throughout the house in Kentucky, US.
Police noted that 10 dogs and one cat were also crammed alongside the 15 inhabitants. The children, aged between 1 and 17, have been removed from the premises following the arrests of the adults and placed in the care of social services.
Arrests and charges
The arrests form part of an ongoing sexual abuse investigation. Officers from the Richmond Police Department carried out a search warrant at a property on Norwood Drive last Friday (October 9). Following the search, police confirmed the arrests of Christine Carter, 41, Johnna Carter, Richard Carter, 45, Sarah Carter, 28, Ishmeal Thornsberry, 21, Green Schindler, 63, Mark Brumbaugh, 30, Matthew Brumbaugh, 30, all linked to the alleged abuse of seven children, reports the Daily Star.
The nature of the relationships between the suspects and the children has not been publicly disclosed by authorities to protect identities. Officers confirmed that additional charges may be pursued as the investigation continues.
List of criminal charges
Christine and Johnna Carter have each been charged with one count of criminal abuse/neglect involving a child under the age of 13, along with an additional charge of first degree criminal abuse. Richard Carter has been charged with criminal abuse/neglect of a child under 13 and criminal abuse, with the added charges of first degree rape and human trafficking.
Sarah Carter is facing the same criminal abuse charges, with further accusations of distribution of obscene matter and incest. Mark Brumbaugh is facing charges of incest, criminal abuse/neglect of a child under 13, first degree criminal abuse, and third degree sexual abuse.
Green Schindler has been charged with incest, human trafficking, first degree rape, and first degree sodomy, in addition to the same criminal abuse charges shared by the other defendants. Ishmeal Thornsberry faces a single charge of first degree criminal abuse. All eight suspects were taken into custody at Madison County Detention Centre, where they remain.
