ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 30, 1996 TAG: 9612310048
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JON CAWLEY
A Southwest Roanoke couple in their late 30s were arrested Saturday on four counts each of felony child abuse and neglect after police responded to a burglary call and instead found four children home alone amid what they described as filthy living conditions.
Police responded to a possible burglary in process at a home on Berkeley Avenue about 9:20 p.m. and were told by a neighbor that the four children inside thought someone was trying to force a back door open. Officers found no evidence of a break-in and went inside to talk with the two girls, aged 16 and 6, and twin boys, aged 23 months, police said.
The officers said they saw and smelled rotten food, feces, moldy dishes and garbage. Feces was seen on the wall of a bathroom, and there were garbage and empty containers in a toilet that did not appear to work, police said.
Police have refused to release the couple's names. Both were served felony warrants and later released after each posted a $5,000 bond.
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