VANDERBURGH CO., IN (WFIE) -
A Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Deputy calls the conditions at a moblie home on Fawn Lake Drive the worst living conditions he's ever seen.
Investigators say it was so bad, the Vanderburgh County couple has been charged with child neglect, and three children are now with Child Protective Services.
Deputies say the home was filthy: covered in trash and filled with cockroaches. An overflowing garbage can, shoes next to a potato, and jars of mayonnaise are all visible outside the home from the road.
"My interactions with them have always been pleasant. I've never had problems with them," said neighbor Wendi Oakley.
Oakley lives two mobile homes down from where Donald and Heather Monarch were arrested last week.
Sheriff's deputies say Heather called 911 reporting her husband was inside his vehicle cutting himself.
The investigating deputy described exactly what was found in the report:
"I went up to the house to speak with... Heather Monarch. When she opened the door of the trailer, I was met with an overwhelming odor. Once I stepped inside, I noticed there were numerous dirty dishes sitting on the counter and in the sink. The living room was full of clutter and dirty clothes. I also observed a small, naked child sleeping on the living room floor, beside a dead cockroach. I asked Mrs. Monarch why the residence was so dirty and she stated she has been busy working on it. As I was speaking with her, I noticed cockroaches surrounding my boots and running up the walls. I then walked down the hallway to look at the rest of the trailer and noticed numerous piles of dirty clothes thrown all over the hallway. The master bedroom had dirty dishes on the bed and the floor was covered in filth. [That] is where the children stated they sleep. The bathroom had trash all over the floor, mold in and around the bathtub. [In] my 12 years with the Sheriff's Office, this is the worst living conditions that I have seen for children to live in. There seemed to be no regret or concern for their actions."
"The children were one, three, and five. They're counting on an adult to look after them, so when they're treated like that it's a horrible situation," said Sgt. Nathan Sugarman with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office.
Oakley says she noticed the house was unkept on the outside, but says that's not uncommon.
"We have a couple out here like that. I never heard any late night noises or nothing. We hear everything, these things (trailers) are paper thin. I've never even heard them argue," Oakley said.
Oakley says she thinks the 3 kids are safer with CPS for now, but hopes one day the family can reunite.
"Nobody wants to see a family ripped apart. It'd be nice for them to come home," Oakley said.
Deputies say Heather Monarch told them she had dealt with Child Protective Services in Warrick County before.
Donald and Heather Monarch are each being held on a $500 cash bond.
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Donald Monarch. Source: Vanderburgh County Detention Center
Heather Monarch. Source: Vanderburgh County Detention Center
