Parents Charged in Disturbing Child Abuse Case
A couple is facing serious accusations after allegedly confining their three children in a house described as “uninhabitable,” filled with methamphetamine and urine. Reports suggest that they subjected the children to beatings and starvation.
Amberly Britton and Mark Myers, residents of O’Fallon, Missouri, caught the attention of authorities several months ago. School officials stepped in when one of the children arrived at school with a significant cut, leading to an investigation, as noted in the indictment.
Once officials entered the home, they discovered locked cupboards and a refrigerator, indicating that the children had little to no access to proper meals.
The house was noted for having an overwhelming smell of urine and was deemed completely unsanitary, making it unsuitable for habitation. Police reported that there were no mattresses with bedding or heating available for the children.
A 13-year-old girl expressed to investigators her intense hunger, which led to pain and vomiting, followed by physical punishment. Another child informed authorities about regular beatings and being locked in a bedroom for extended periods.
According to reports, the children had to fend for themselves as the adults often slept for long hours, neglecting supervision. They had to prepare their own meals and get ready for school alone. The children recounted experiences of physical discipline using belts, paddles, and other items and described being grabbed and dragged by the neck.
Furthermore, they were instructed by their parents never to disclose what went on inside their home.
When police searched the residence, they uncovered a significant quantity of methamphetamine. Investigators noted that Britton and Myers frequently seemed evasive, impaired, or unresponsive during interactions, failing drug tests after suspicions arose regarding meth use in the house.
Despite multiple visits from authorities, there was no substantial effort on their part to improve the living conditions. The couple reportedly shifted the blame onto the children for the abuse and the dire state of their home, showing little to no remorse for their actions.
Both Britton and Myers now face charges of second-degree drug trafficking and three counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Interestingly, Britton has a prior record of five counts related to endangering a child’s welfare. Myers, on the other hand, has convictions for statutory rape, failing to register as a sex offender, and possession of a controlled substance.
