Ohio Couple Arrested for Disturbing Child Living Conditions
Authorities in Ohio have apprehended two adults accused of exposing nine children to “horrific, disgusting” living situations in their home located in Licking County.
Jonathan Parr and Jacquelyn Coleman were arrested on October 14 after police discovered the children living in unsanitary conditions, infested with numerous insects, including cockroaches.
According to law enforcement, the children, ranging in age from 1 to 13 years, were reportedly subjected to maltreatment due to a lack of food, water, and adequate living space.
The situation came to light when a staff member at a local school contacted Child Protective Services (CPS). A CPS worker interviewed the children, leading to alarming revelations about their home life.
Following the issuance of a search warrant, a team of Licking County SWAT members executed a raid on the residence, where they observed the awful conditions firsthand. “I can tell you from being out there that the living conditions were horrific, disgusting,” noted Captain Jay Cook of the Licking County Sheriff’s Office.
The police described one of the bathrooms as an “abomination,” also reporting the presence of multiple firearms within sight of the children’s sleeping areas.
Parr confessed to punishing the children by making them stand for five to ten minutes but refuted some of the other accusations, as per the police. Coleman was taken into custody during a traffic stop and allegedly claimed she overlooked the abuse due to a lack of alternative housing options. It’s noteworthy that while the two are not married, they share four children, and it’s unclear how the nine children fit into their family structure.
Law enforcement officials seized an iPhone, an iPad, and various weapons from the home.
Coleman and Parr are currently detained at the Licking County Jail on $150,000 bonds each, facing one charge of endangering children, with the possibility of additional charges forthcoming.
Interestingly, Parr’s mother also resided in the home but has not been charged in connection with these events.
