FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. (WKRC) – A man and woman were arrested after police found a 1-year-old child and 81-year-old in their care that were living in a roach and bug-infested apartment that smelled of feces and urine.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, authorities were dispatched to a residence on January 13 for a welfare check on an 81-year-old man. Upon entering the home, authorities allegedly observed the unit was “covered in garbage, cockroach droppings, and sticky surfaces.”
“While assisting the elderly male, insects emerged from the mattress and clothing worn by the elderly male,” police said. “That same mattress appeared to have been defecated and urinated on, countless times as stains were spread wide, covering almost the entire surface. The pillowcases appeared to be completely discolored with brown and orange stains.”
Police discovered a 1-year-old child while helping the elderly man, learning that the pair were living together in the residence despite the filth and strong odor, per the affidavit.
“After maneuvering the debris, deputies observed [a] 1-year-old sleeping within a Pack ‘n Play in the living room,” authorities said. “Roaches and bugs were observed crawling over [the 1-year-old] while he slept. “
Investigators made contact with the two people charged with taking care of the elderly man and the child, 32-year-old Nikolas Anthony Cummings and 31-year-old Tashaye Driaunah Brown.
“[Brown] was then asked to display the necessary food items for the child,” police said. “Brown escorted deputies into the kitchen and opened the fridge. I immediately observed mold growing throughout the fridge and on top of clearly expired food.”
Authorities returned the next day and found the child was still in a bug-infested crib, prompting them to ask Brown what method she was using to address the insect infestation.
“[S]he sprays Raid Roach Spray around the home,” the affidavit said. “More specifically, each night she flips [the 1-year-old’s] portable enclosure upside down to shake the insects out. Then [Brown] places [the 1-year-old] back inside and sprays a ‘protective’ tight circle of Raid Roach Spray around the immediate base of the enclosure.”
Investigators noted that Raid contains chemicals that would be toxic for children, and that the application did not actually do much to deter the bugs.
The 81-year-old told police that due to medical issues, he had not been able to change his clothes for a week, and investigators observed insects coming out of his socks.
“These two feigned ignorance over the trash, feces and insects covering the floors, walls and victims inside the home,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “This was not a matter of money, they did not care about the hygiene of their home, the welfare of their child, or the medical needs of their family members. They put in zero effort.”
The pair were charged with cruelty toward a child without great bodily harm and neglect of an elderly or disabled adult with great bodily harm.
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