Patrick Stephen Burke, 33, and Katie Marie Kauffman, 28, 112 Rosemary Ave., Sebring, were arrested Wednesday, Dec. 9 by Highlands County Sheriff’s Office in connection to the incident.
According to reports, responding deputies observed a child standing in the driveway of the couple’s shared home “crying and screaming” and wearing only an “extremely soiled diaper” that was dragging the ground.
“His diaper was dragging the ground and that was the only garment he was wearing,” deputy Jay Carver noted in his report. “Based on (the victim’s) condition at the time of discovery, it appears as though he was left unsupervised for an extended period of time.”
The front door to the home, lawmen noted, was locked from the inside. The floor of the home, lawmen noted, was covered with animal excrement and there was a lack of basic supplies.
“I also did not observe any working refrigerator and a minimal supply of food in the home,” the deputy noted. “I did observe animal feces on the floor. It was also reported that the water only works when turned on from outside.”
Kauffman, who was sleeping when deputies arrived, reportedly told lawmen she believed the child escaped through an open window.
Burke, who was found sleeping in a back room, reportedly said he did not hear the child screaming.
Burke is facing an additional charge of animal torment after two small dogs and four cats were removed by Highlands County Animal Control.
“Not only was there no food for the occupants of the home, there was no dog food observed,” the deputy noted. One dog, the report states, was found in a crate covered with feces and “appeared to be sickly.”
The couple remain at the Highlands County Jail in lieu of bond.
(Your Sun - Dec 13, 2015)
No comments:
Post a Comment