CARROLLTON, Ky., Nov. 4 — Five Kentucky residents were arrested Monday after local authorities discovered a disturbing scene involving a 2-year-old boy locked inside a filthy, makeshift cage.
Responding to a community tip about a child potentially confined in a residence on 7th Street, Carrollton Police Department’s Detective Dave Roberts and Sgt. Taylor arrived to find the toddler unclothed and detained in a caged area.
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The area, police reported, was a “wooden and metal enclosure” secured with a padlock, with conditions unfit for any child or pet.
The individuals arrested include Brenda Chilton, 71, William Mahoney, 72, Codey Johnson, 29, Tammy Simmons, 52, all of Carrollton, and Shelby Turocy, 28, of Ghent, Kentucky.
Each faces charges of criminal abuse and wanton endangerment related to the toddler’s confinement and the unsanitary state of the residence.
Turocy additionally faces drug-related charges for possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia, according to police statements released on social media.
Law enforcement officials described the conditions as distressing.
The criminal complaint, reported by multiple outlets, including McClatchy News, noted that the boy had been confined in a room smeared with urine and feces.
Detective Roberts told WDRB News that “the child was behind there, completely unclothed,” adding, “There was feces, and then you’re in that contained area.”
According to Roberts, this “caged” area appeared designed to keep the toddler in place, with materials and padlocks in place to prevent any escape.
A delivery driver, who initially alerted law enforcement, reportedly saw the young boy confined in what looked like a cage during a delivery to the property.
Following this report, officers proceeded to investigate the property on Monday, securing the scene and eventually obtaining a search warrant.
Police were further alarmed by the presence of eight to ten dogs in the residence, which appeared to be in poor health, as per WDRB’s report.
The animals, too, were found in questionable conditions, leading investigators to believe they had been neglected in similar ways.
After entering the home, police conducted a preliminary investigation, revealing an array of hazards that posed a threat to any child in the environment.
The state’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services took charge of the situation, immediately removing two children from the home.
However, law enforcement has yet to confirm the exact relationships, if any, between the arrested individuals and the young children found on the property.
Chilton, Mahoney, Johnson, Simmons, and Turocy were booked into the Carroll County Detention Center and are awaiting further judicial proceedings.
The charges they face range from criminal abuse to wanton endangerment, with additional charges against Turocy for drug possession and paraphernalia.
The defendants have not yet entered pleas, and the investigation remains active.
Detective Roberts emphasized the importance of community vigilance in preventing similar cases, crediting the initial tip from the delivery driver as essential in rescuing the children from what he described as “intolerable” living conditions.
“If you see something, say something,” Roberts told WDRB, highlighting the role bystanders can play in safeguarding vulnerable individuals, particularly young children unable to protect themselves.
He added, “This case serves as a reminder of the vital role that bystanders can play in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.”
The Carrollton Police Department’s Facebook statement also acknowledged the officers involved, including Chief Willhoite, Assistant Chief Dews, and Sgt. Dews, who worked alongside Roberts and Taylor to secure the scene and ensure the well-being of the children.
Authorities have confirmed they are working closely with child protective services to ensure the safety of the minors, who are now under the care of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Carrollton is located approximately 50 miles northeast of Louisville.
This small Kentucky town has drawn significant media attention due to the disturbing details of the case.
It’s currently unclear how the arrested individuals may be connected to the toddler, as law enforcement has not disclosed familial relationships or other ties between the parties involved.
The arrest and conditions of confinement have sparked outrage among local residents, many of whom are calling for stricter laws and enhanced protections for children.
The presence of multiple individuals of varied ages in the home — from Chilton, 71, to Turocy, 28 — has raised further questions about the living arrangements and potential oversight from family, friends, or social services.
Meanwhile, police are continuing their investigation to gather more evidence and determine whether additional charges or arrests are warranted.
Neighbors and community members who may have witnessed concerning behaviors at the residence or noted any prior signs of child neglect are being asked to come forward as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Authorities have not yet released further information on the health or emotional state of the children rescued from the residence, nor have they shared details on potential rehabilitation or medical care the toddler might need.
The individuals are currently held at the Carroll County Detention Center without bond, pending their court appearances.
This case has underscored the need for enhanced community engagement and effective partnerships between law enforcement and child protective services to prevent similar incidents.
Carrollton Police did not respond to Press request for comment on additional case details at press time.
This tragic discovery serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of reporting suspicions of child abuse.
For those who suspect child abuse or neglect, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline can be reached at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453.
