Georgia Parents Arrested after Deputies Find Children Living in Extreme Heat and Filth
A Georgia grandmother made a distress call to 911 seeking assistance with her misbehaving grandkids. However, the situation took a serious turn when deputies discovered that the parents of the children had been keeping them in an appalling living environment. The parents were subsequently arrested for hoarding air conditioning and food, depriving the children of these basic necessities.
Steve Bailey, 61, and Jessica Marie Bailey, 40, have been arrested and are facing charges related to child cruelty. According to records reviewed by Law&Crime, they have been charged with multiple counts of first-degree cruelty to children and second-degree cruelty to children.
Deputies from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office promptly arrived at a residence on White Rose Lane, located approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta. The call for assistance came from a concerned woman seeking help with her grandchildren. A concerned woman asked for assistance from a deputy to address her 10-year-old grandson’s habit of riding his bike on Highway 113.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered three unaccompanied minors who verified their solo status. The children mentioned that their grandmother resided nearby and had already returned home.
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The deputies proceeded to the neighboring house, where they were informed by the grandmother that the parents of the grandkids were frequently absent and that she was exhausted from shouldering the responsibility of caring for all the children. Additionally, she mentioned that the temperature inside the trailer where the children resided with their parents was extremely high, causing the kids to frequently sleep on the floor, as it was slightly cooler.
Following communication with the Department of Family and Child Services, Jessica Bailey returned home and began shouting at the children, questioning if they desired to return to foster care. She then granted the deputies access to the trailer.
According to the deputy’s affidavit, the strong smell of animal waste upon entering made it difficult to breathe through the nose. “I couldn’t help but notice the intense heat inside the residence,” the grandmother remarked, comparing it to the suffocating conditions of a car on a scorching summer day without any ventilation.”
According to deputies, the refrigerator was equipped with strong locks and had two securely closed doors. As mentioned in the affidavit, one door belonged to Jessica and Steve Bailey, while the other belonged to their daughter who was away at boot camp.
Upon entering the parents’ room, deputies discovered that the air conditioning unit was set to a chilly 54 degrees. The room was significantly colder than the rest of the trailer. In the parents’ bedroom, authorities discovered a well-stocked mini fridge, according to the police.
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Jessica Bailey claimed that she receives a monthly amount of $1,350 in food stamps. She mentioned that her children consume all the food, prompting Steve Bailey to install a lock on the fridge and freezer in an attempt to make the food last longer. Deputies reported that the kitchen cabinets were devoid of any food except for sauces.
The parents were apprehended and transported to Carroll County Jail. Both individuals have been released on bond. The court appearance schedule was not immediately clear.
