Parents Living in Filthy Home Arrested for Child Endangerment: Cops

A Delaware couple was arrested after police say they discovered they were living in a home that was unsafe and unhealthy for their child.

A Delaware couple was arrested after police say they discovered they were living in a home that was unsafe and unhealthy for their child.

On Friday, at 10:12 a.m., New Castle County Police arrived at a home on the 800 block of Chambers Rock Road in Newark, Delaware. Investigators say the police were assisting officers from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals with a search warrant. When police went inside the home, they say they smelled urine throughout the house and discovered the home was in unsanitary conditions.

Upon further investigation, detectives say numerous dogs, cats, ducks and rabbits were living inside the home and had been urinating and defecating throughout the house. Flies were seen throughout the residence, including inside the refrigerator. Police also say the animals had full access to the inside of the home and that dogs were housed within the garage, with some being in poor health.

The Division of Family Services and an officer from the New Castle County Code Enforcement were contacted after police say they learned the couple’s 12-year-old son was living inside the home. The house was condemned by the code enforcement officer and deemed unfit for the child to live, due to the conditions posing a physical health risk to the boy.

The boy was taken to the Al DuPont Hospital for Children where it was confirmed he had no health issues and was medically cleared. The boy was temporarily placed with relatives.

Sandra Kelsch, 49, and her husband Edward Kelsch, 48, were both charged with endangering the welfare of a child. They were arraigned and released on $500 unsecured bail.
 

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