Four children, including a six-week-old newborn, were taken from what Florida authorities described as a “house of horrors,” where investigators allegedly found animal feces, urine, flies and black mold throughout the home.
The children’s parents, Jodie Cannon, 26, and Jordon Wilson, 30, were arrested on child neglect charges, along with Cannon’s mother, Melissa Keal, 50, and stepfather, John Keal, 52, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. It was not immediately clear whether any of the four had entered pleas. Attorneys for the defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Oxygen.
“Words cannot describe the house of horrors these children were living,” Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach said in a press release. “Animal feces and urine everywhere, black mold, flies – small children trying to navigate hazardous flooring conditions – and the sad part is they have grown around all of this, not knowing they were dealt the absolute worst conditions I can imagine living in a First World country.”
The investigation began July 7, when a Department of Children and Families caseworker contacted emergency medical services and requested an evaluation for Cannon’s six-week-old infant, according to Fox 17.
Authorities said the baby had lost weight and was suffering from a severe diaper rash, while Cannon allegedly refused to seek medical care.
“When the child was admitted to the hospital, it had a low heart rate, low body temperature and low weight,” the sheriff’s office said, according to Fox 17. “It was determined that without intervention, the infant could have died.”
Cannon was arrested July 21 after officials concluded the infant had been subjected to medical neglect, Fox 17 reported. The three other children she shares with Wilson were then removed from the home, the sheriff’s office said.
A week later, detectives and members of the Putnam County SWAT team served a search warrant at Cannon’s residence in Florahome, where the family had been living.
Inside, officers encountered what they described as “deplorable” conditions, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. Floors in several rooms, including a bathroom, were rotting, partly due to water from broken pipes. The ceiling had been repaired in an unsafe way, with visible signs of black mold covered with white paint. Flies were swarming the home, including a mattress where detectives were told a child slept on. There were also cockroaches in Jordon’s room, which contained uneaten food left on dishes.
“Four dogs and three kittens were voluntarily surrendered to Putnam County Animal Services,” said the sheriff’s office. “These animals will be evaluated and placed for adoption with healthy homes. Due to the voluntary surrender, detectives are not pursuing animal neglect charges.”
Jordon, Melissa and John were arrested on July 28, the sheriff’s office said, “as they all were adult household members who failed to provide the child with care, supervision and services necessary to maintain the child’s physical and mental health.”
Melissa’s adopted child was then removed from the home. “During the initial call for service with Cannon,” said the sheriff’s office, “detectives did not have enough evidence of neglectful conditions to remove Melissa Keal’s adopted child at the time.”
The children have since been placed in foster care.
“Finally, on a positive note,” the sheriff’s office said, “we are happy to report the baby at the start of this case is thriving, happy and gaining weight. No information as to age and gender of the children will be released to protect their identity.”
