TOLEDO — Two people have been arrested on accusations of child neglect and other charges after Lincoln County authorities found two children left alone in a home with no power or running water.
According to court documents, a city of Toledo police officer was sent to a home on Wednesday, July 21 for a welfare check after it was reported that two minors were left alone. The officer said he found a 10-year-old boy, who answered the door, and a 13-year-old boy with special needs at the home.
When the officer asked where the boys’ parents were, the 10-year-old said he had not seen them, identified as Tessa Padgett and Andrew Sargent, since July 17-18, according to court documents. The boys told police that Sargent lived at the home and acted as a stepdad who would take care of them along with Padgett.
The boys told the officer they didn’t know where the parents were and said they didn’t have phone service unless they used their neighbor’s wifi. The officer stated in court documents that he noted the “children have not showered in days.”
When the officer went inside to look around the house, he said he observed “extremely poor living conditions,” including dog feces and urine on the floor, an overflowing trash and sink, empty containers of alcohol, flies, and little food, according to court documents. The boys reportedly told the officer they hadn’t had water for more than a week.
With the upstairs bathroom non-functional, the boys said they had to use their parents’ bathroom. When the officer inspected that bathroom, he found “meth pipes, residue bags, and marijuana bongs lying in plain view,” according to court documents.
As the officer took photos of the home, the 13-year-old boy was able to contact Padgett through Facebook messenger who said she was returning home.
Court documents also note that the officer found several dogs that “appeared hungry and in poor shape.” The boys told police they had run out of dog food a few days prior and that one was aggressive.
The Oregon Department of Human Services was contacted and due to the poor living conditions, the two boys were immediately removed from the home and taken into emergency custody.
According to court documents, when Padgett arrived at the house, she was arrested. A detective found Sargent nearby and he was taken into custody as well. Both were lodged in the Lincoln County Jail.
Both are charged with 12 counts of criminal mistreatment, endangering the welfare of a minor, child neglect, and animal neglect.
— Courtesy of KATU(2) Portland
