Five Filthy Children Found Living In Raw Sewage Along With Parents And Dead Grandfather

After five filthy children were found living in raw sewage, together with their deceased grandfather, a couple have been arrested and charged with child abuse.

The couple, Melissa Poole and Jeremy Dishner, who have both been charged with five counts of misdemeanor child abuse, told reporters that there was nothing wrong with the home where the kids lived and that the children were never in danger.

However, Sheriff’s deputies told the press that, as well as living in abject squalor, the kids ate food off the bed where their dead grandfather lay, and also ate spoiled food.

As Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Andy Poteat said, “As far as eating, one of the parents or other adults had directed the children to take food in there to him. So neither adult had checked on him up until the time they had contacted us and realized what was going on.”

Despite all that, the kids’ mother claims there was no child abuse or neglect at the home, saying, “Even a social worker said we did not abuse our kids. That’s why they didn’t take our kids.”

Regarding the raw sewage and spoiled food found in the home, Poole said, “My kids had been sick with the flu, rotavirus. It’s been happening for a month. There were things that haven’t been taken care of. I feel like I’m getting accused of being a bad mom for worrying about my kids rather than my house.”

Poole added that, to her mind, if that would have been an issue with her kids, social services would have dealt with them on their visits, “If there was reason for me not to have my kids, I wouldn’t have my kids right now. If there was reason for the social services to be concerned, I would’ve had a report on me before this.”

The accused parents are due to appear before a judge in April.