A Florida mother and father have been charged with child neglect after police say their two children were spotted roaming naked in public and covered in human excrement.
According to a statement posted on Facebook, deputies from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said they saw the first boy running through traffic in Wright, Fla., at 9 a.m. on Sept. 8. They took the youngster to safety, but claimed he was nude and covered in feces.
Authorities said they recognized the youngster and transported him to a residence near Fort Walton Beach, where they discovered another naked boy wandering about nearby. The sheriff’s staff claimed that the second child had excrement on his body as well.
“OCSO Deputies and an investigator found deplorable conditions throughout the residence, as well as prescription medications within reach of a total of five children, all under the age of 12,” according to the statement from the agency.
The alleged incident resulted in the arrests of parents Danielle Roberson, 34, and Jacob Roberson, 32. Both have been charged with five charges of child negligence, according to authorities, and it is unknown whether they have entered pleas or hired counsel to represent them.
According to the sheriff’s office, the Department of Children and Families is collaborating with the investigation. The status of the children remains unknown.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week in over 170 languages.