Nine children have been removed from a home in Ohio, US, after police discovered them living in bug-infested conditions, with some reportedly locked behind makeshift cages and forced to stand for hours as punishment. Jonathan Parr, 37, and Jacqueline Coleman, 32, were arrested on child endangerment charges after officers searched the property in Etna Township on Tuesday, October 13.
Appalling and unsafe conditions
The children, aged between one and 13, were found living in what authorities described as “appalling and unsafe” conditions. A referral from child protective services prompted the investigation, with court documents detailing allegations of physical abuse, insufficient living space and a failure to provide adequate food and water. The documents also alleged that children were forced to stand for hours with nails between their toes and were locked behind cages or barriers.
Licking County Sheriff's Office Captain Jay Cook said the conditions discovered by investigators were horrific. He said at a press conference on Wednesday: “The living conditions were horrific, disgusting, and there was nine children living in the house with three adults.” Investigators found a bug infestation, inadequate sleeping arrangements and insufficient bedding for the youngsters.
Details of the allegations
At least four of the children were allegedly living in a small shed on the property alongside Parr and Coleman, while others were believed to have been staying in a mobile home. Captain Cook said the structure was a small outbuilding rather than a conventional house.
The allegations surrounding the makeshift cages were particularly disturbing. “It was disclosed that maybe some of the kids were placed in cages,” he said. He explained that investigators did not find a large dog cage, but a folding barrier that had been used to cover a doorway where there was no door.
The children also allegedly described being made to hold uncomfortable positions against a wall as punishment. He said: “Sometimes it was punishment. Sometimes, it was for no good reason at all.” He said the youngsters had reportedly been forced to stand with their backs against a wall in a position similar to a wall squat, sometimes for an entire day. Nails in the floor were allegedly used as markers to show where the children had to place their feet.
Arrests and court proceedings
All nine children have since been removed from the property and placed in the custody of child protective services. Parr was found inside the shed when officers arrived to execute the search warrant. Coleman had left shortly beforehand with two children but was later detained during a traffic stop.
The pair share four children, while Coleman has two other children and Parr has three, according to Captain Cook. A 64-year-old grandmother was the third adult living at the property. Both suspects were held on $150,000 bond and appeared in court on Wednesday.
Parr denied the allegations during his bond hearing. He insisted: “It’s not true. I didn’t keep anybody in cages or [commit] any of the other charges. I love my kids. I would die for my kids.” He has been ordered not to contact the alleged victims or Coleman, and is prohibited from having unsupervised contact with anyone under 18. He must also wear a GPS monitoring device.
Parr is due back in court on October 23. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have indicated that further charges could follow. Officials have not said whether the children's grandmother will face charges.
