Inset, left to right: Karianne N. Lindsey and Christian A. Diaz (Waukesha County Jail). Background: The area in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where the couple allegedly kept their young children (Google Maps).
Authorities in Wisconsin are investigating a couple accused of subjecting their five young children to “unimaginable” living conditions. The children allegedly endured years in a basement littered with feces, insects, and decaying food.
Karianne N. Lindsey and Christian A. Diaz were arrested last week and are facing multiple felony charges, including two counts each of chronic neglect of a child and three counts of neglecting a child, according to court documents.
The criminal complaint, filed in Waukesha County Circuit Court, outlines the alleged neglect occurring between May 22, 2022, and September 22, 2025, in Oconomowoc, a city located approximately 35 miles west of Milwaukee. The document states that Lindsey and Diaz, responsible for their children’s well-being, endangered their physical, mental, and emotional health through their inaction.
The case came to light after Lindsey’s mother contacted the authorities in September, expressing concern for her grandchildren’s safety and requesting a welfare check at their home in the 800 block of Autumn Ridge Drive. The grandmother’s call prompted police to visit the residence.
Upon inspection, officers reportedly discovered the family living in unsanitary conditions within a cramped two-bedroom basement. Prescription pills were allegedly found within easy reach of the young children, who ranged in age from 2 to 7. The children appeared to suffer from bedbug bites and scabs, suggesting poor hygiene and inadequate care.
During the police visit, when asked about a noticeable cut, the 7-year-old child reportedly remarked, “Yeah. I haven’t killed myself yet,” highlighting the dire circumstances they were living in.
The couple were in court on Monday for their initial appearance before Circuit Judge David L. Herring. Courtroom footage posted by Milwaukee Fox affiliate WITI provided additional details about the harrowing allegations against the duo.
During the hearing, Assistant District Attorney Kevin J. Galezewski said the neglect suffered by the kids at the hands of Lindsey and Diaz escalated over the years, leaving the victims increasingly vulnerable to their surroundings.
“This neglect case spans years despite multiple attempts at intervention by the CPS and police,” he said. “The children were found in unimaginable conditions and put at risk of death or great bodily harm.”
According to Galezewski, the five victims had been “left to live in filth with human feces and rotting food covering their entire space.” The prosecutor also told the court he was able to confirm that there were “no toothbrushes” recovered from inside of the living space and that none of the kids had ever seen a dentist.
A judge set bond at $25,000 for each defendant. Should they be released, Lindsey and Diaz are prohibited from having any unsupervised contact with the children and may not discuss or strategize with each other about their testimony or the case in general, records show.
They are scheduled to appear in court again for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 1.
