CARROLLTON, Ky. — Five people have been arrested in Carrollton after detectives found a young boy naked and locked in a caged area.
Carrollton detectives on Monday responded to a home in the 700 block of 7th Street after receiving a tip about a child possibly being held in a cage. When they arrived, police found a young boy under the age of 3 "locked behind a wooden and metal enclosure that was secured with a padlock."
Detective Dave Roberts spoke to WCPO 9 News Tuesday, describing the conditions inside as "deplorable."
"It's heartbreaking, really, to see a child that age completely unclothed, no clothes, no socks no nothing on, walking in feces and urine," Detective Roberts said. "It's very difficult, it's difficult for the first responders, you know, most of us have children and grandchildren. It's just a heartbreaking scene inside of that home."
Police executed a search warrant and began an investigation. Two children were removed from the home by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Five people — 71-year-old Brenda Chilton, 72-year-old William Mahoney, 29-year-old Codey Johnson, 52-year-old Tammy Simmons and 28-year-old Shelby Turocy — were arrested and charged with criminal abuse and wanton endangerment.
Turocy was also charged with possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Detective Roberts says the child's father, grandmother and great-grandmother were among those arrested.
Detective Roberts says an 8-year-old girl was also living inside the home.
Neighbors like Darlene Simmons say they watched as police went inside.
"I couldn't believe it, I mean, we never expected that to happen, we never expected them to be doing anything like that," Simmons said.
Detective Roberts says Kentucky Health and Family Services workers took the children to a nearby relative.
All five people are currently at the Carroll County Detention Center. Detective Roberts says they're expected to be arraigned at the Carroll County Courthouse Wednesday morning. Carrollton police said their investigation is ongoing at this time.
