In a deeply troubling case from Missouri, a mother and father face serious accusations of locking their children away and depriving them of food, among other shocking allegations of mistreatment.

According to police reports, the children reportedly resorted to breaking into locked cabinets to find food, driven by extreme hunger. They allegedly faced harsh physical punishment for incidents such as vomiting, which resulted from severe malnourishment.

Amberly Britton, the mother in question, allegedly showed a disturbing lack of remorse during police interviews, reportedly blaming her three children for the neglect and abuse they described. Similarly, the father, Mark Myers, also allegedly deflected blame onto the children, accusing them of lying about their treatment when questioned by authorities.

The case drew attention when one of the children arrived at school with a significant wound that required medical treatment, prompting the Children’s Division to initiate an investigation. Concerns about the child’s welfare and the family’s living conditions led the division to seek assistance from law enforcement, as detailed in the probable cause statements filed by the St. Charles County Police Department.

Upon visiting the home, state investigators and police found the environment to be perilously unsafe and unsanitary. The residence was reportedly filled with extreme clutter and pervaded by strong odors of urine, with no bedding on the mattresses and surfaces covered in dirty dishes and debris.

The authorities also discovered that the kitchen cabinets and refrigerator were locked, preventing the children from accessing food. Britton and Myers argued that these measures were necessary to “control” the children’s eating habits, according to police documentation.

“During multiple visits, the adults appeared evasive, impaired, or unresponsive and repeatedly claimed to be unable to complete drug testing after investigators received information that methamphetamine was being used inside the residence,” the probable cause statements say. “Despite being given an opportunity to clean and correct safety hazards, no meaningful improvements were made.”

Two of the couple’s three children spoke to investigators about the alleged abuse and described being “regularly locked” inside their bedroom, sometimes overnight. One of them, who is 13, reported experiencing pain and “vomiting from severe hunger, and then being punished after she vomited,” according to cops.

“The children further reported that they were required to care for themselves and each other, including waking themselves, preparing food, and getting ready for school due to the adults sleeping for extended periods and failing to provide supervision,” the probable cause statements allege. “They described being subjected to physical discipline, including being struck with belts, paddles, and other objects, as well as being grabbed or dragged by the neck.”

The children stated that their bruises and injuries were “concealed” and they were instructed to not tell anyone about what occurred inside the home, according to police. They reported that they “feared additional punishment” if they spoke about the conditions, attempted to leave their bedroom, or tried to obtain food.

“They also stated that the windows to their room had been screwed shut to prevent them from leaving when confined,” the probable cause statements say. “Investigators corroborated these statements and observed locks on all cabinets and refrigerators. Locks were also found on each bedroom door, which required fingerprints to access.”

The family’s home was deemed “unsanitary” and “uninhabitable” due to the alleged conditions inside, including a lack of heat. No children’s toys or clothing were found inside, despite Britton recently receiving money from an inheritance.

“There is no indication that any of those funds were used for the children,” the probable cause statements say.

Britton and Myers were both charged with second-degree drug trafficking and three counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. They are each being held on $250,000 cash-only bonds.