Authorities arrested two Licking County parents after finding nine children and three adults living in what they called bug-infested conditions at an Etna Township home.
Licking County sheriff's investigators arrested Jonathan Parr, 37, and Jacqueline Coleman, 32, on suspicion of child endangerment, after searching their home Oct. 13 on the 13600 block of National Road SW in Etna Township, according to Licking County court records.
The search came after a referral from Licking County Child Protective Services, which alleged "physical abuse, including failure to provide food and water, insufficient living space, and juveniles being forced to stand for hours with nails between their toes and locked behind cages or barriers," according to court documents.
As of noon Oct. 14, only Parr faced a criminal charge of child endangerment, a third-degree felony that carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison.
Detectives found that 12 people, ranging in age from 1-64, living at the home, though some of the nine children were found at school, the sheriff's office told a USA TODAY Network reporter. Authorities are determining whether a third adult family member will face charges.
Investigators "encountered appalling and unsafe living conditions that raised serious concerns for the health, safety, and well-being of the children residing in the home," the sheriff's office said in the post. All nine children were placed in the custody of CPS.
Police Parr and Coleman on suspicion of child endangerment, the sheriff's office said. Additional charges may come.
In court documents, a sheriff's investigator alleges that CPS's referral outlined "physical abuse, including failure to provide food and water, insufficient living space, and juveniles being forced to stand for hours with nails between their toes and locked behind cages or barriers."
Deputies searched the home, where they found "deplorable living conditions and a bug infestation, including inadequate sleeping arrangements and bedding for juveniles," according to court documents.
Authorities removed the children from the home and arrested Parr and Coleman.
The home is in a mobile home park across National Road SW from The Basement Doctor, though as of noon Oct. 14, police were no longer at the scene.
Case bears similarities to Siders family in Vinton County
This summer, 16 children were rescued from a home in conditions officials described as "deplorable" in a small village in Vinton County.
Four adults – Gary L. Siders Sr., 73, Gary L. Siders Jr., 36, Christina Siders, 67, and Elizabeth Siders, 33 – were arrested and charged with 16 counts of felony child endangerment June 30.
In a press conference the next day, officials said two children were flown to Level 1 trauma centers. They said the home was significantly contaminated with feces and children had not been attending school.
A Vinton County grand jury later also indicted Elizabeth Siders and Gary Siders Jr. on two counts each of sexual battery and two counts each of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in a case involving a minor more than 10 years younger than the couple who was not one of the children rescued from the home.
Charges against Gary Siders Sr. have since been dropped after he was found not competent to stand trial due to health issues.
Public safety and breaking news reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 9 children found in 'appalling' living conditions in Ohio home
