PIERCETON - Details surrounding a Pierceton couple arrested for child neglect were released this morning.
John and Mary Ann Hale, ages 50 and 51, respectively, of 5742 E. CR 700S, Pierceton, were arrested Wednesday evening on charges of neglect of a 7-year-old dependent child. Each was held on $2,000 bond.County dispatch received an anonymous telephone call advising the Hale's residence was "unsafe" and a child lived there.
According to a report by KCSD Corporal Chris Rager, he arrived to the residence and found several household items strewn across the lawn.
Photos from the scene show what appears to be a refrigerator on the lawn.
Rager stated that when he approached the residence, there was a strong urine odor.
Rager knocked several times at the door and looked into a window to see if anyone was home. According to the report, Mary Ann Hale eventually opened the door.
As Rager followed Mary through the residence, he noted clothing and garbage all over the floor.
Rager noted there was a single path from the living room to the bedroom because of the debris on the floor.
Photos of the residence also showed what appeared to be sewage backed up in the residence's toilet.
Rager called Child Protective Services and the child was taken into custody.
Thursday, the Kosciusko County Health Department condemned the residence and animal control took possession of animals left behind in the residence.
