A mother in Indiana faces up to 18 years in prison after allegedly leaving her three children and dogs alone in a home with deplorable conditions. Ashley Rogers, 42, was arrested on three counts of neglect of a dependent following a police search that uncovered black mold, animal feces, and piles of trash throughout the property.
Police Response
Fort Wayne Police officers arrived at Rogers's home around 12:20 p.m. on April 30 after receiving reports that a minor was threatening to harm themselves. Upon arrival, they found the property in a state of extreme squalor. Rogers's boyfriend, Antione Burnett, was present and confirmed that Rogers's 17-year-old daughter was inside with her 18-year-old boyfriend, Gentry Shelton.
Burnett attempted to call Rogers at work but could not reach her. He then directed officers to the back door, warning them of aggressive dogs inside, before leaving the property, according to an affidavit obtained by the Daily Mail.
Shelton appeared at the rear of the property just as Rogers's 13-year-old son returned home. Officers observed pieces of animal feces falling from the rear doorway and a quantity of trash surrounding the home, including an unplugged refrigerator on its side with broken doors still full of food.
Inside the Home
Shelton initially denied that Rogers's daughter was inside but later admitted she was. He told police that his girlfriend had threatened to cut herself. When police finally contacted Rogers by phone, she showed little concern about her daughter's statements regarding self-harm.
Rogers eventually returned home and claimed that her 17-year-old daughter was 'not her responsibility' and had not been at the home for several months. She expressed a desire to leave and leave her children in Shelton's care, despite the home's poor condition.
Police reported a large amount of dog waste, no running water, no refrigerator, minimal food, and a toilet with dried feces and no water. Both the rear and front doors were broken and unable to lock, most windows were loosely covered with boards, and multiple sections of walls and ceiling were broken or had fallen. Several rooms had peeling paint, and the kitchen and bathroom counters were covered with dirty clothing, trash, dirty dishes, and moldy items.
The floor was covered with garbage bags filled with trash, and the laundry area in the basement, covered in black mold, had nearly two feet of dirty clothing covering the floor.
Children's Welfare
One of Rogers's children stated that he and his 11-year-old sister lived at the home with Rogers and claimed she came home daily when not at work. However, police determined Rogers had not been to the home in several months.
Rogers's 17-year-old daughter had an active juvenile warrant for violating conditional release, which Rogers acknowledged. The teen had removed her ankle monitor and failed to comply with probation. Officers found her hiding under the kitchen sink with superficial cuts on her arms and legs.
All three dogs were removed by animal control due to unsuitable conditions. It remains unclear what alternative care the children have received.
Rogers was booked into Allen County Jail and made her first court appearance on Monday on three counts of neglect of a dependent. She is scheduled to return to court in June.
