Law enforcement officials say a urine- and feces-filled rural Du Quoin home is one of the most awful things they've ever seen, leading authorities to take custody of three children and 41 dogs living there.
Friday, the three adults living in the home were charged with offenses including child endangerment and cruelty to animals. Meanwhile, the Department of Children and Family Services was granted temporary custody of the three young children living in the filthy home at 339 Kathleen Mine Road and they have been placed with a close family member.
John T. Morris, 46, and Pruda Morris, 45, were each charged with three counts of endangering the life or health of a child and two counts of cruel treatment of animals. Joey Simpson, 27 was charged with one count of endangering the life or health of a child. Each voluntarily appeared at the Perry County Sheriff's Department about 1 p.m. Friday. Public Defender Tom Mansfield was appointed to represent them.
Bond for each was set at $500 and all remained in the Perry County Jail Friday evening. Each of the charges are misdemeanors carrying a possible sentence of up to 364 days in jail and fine up to $2,500 upon conviction, according to Perry County State's Attorney David Stanton.
Authorities said the two older children, boys ages 15 and 10, are the children of John and Pruda Morris, who are married. The youngest child, a girl who will turn three Tuesday, is the child of Pruda Morris and Simpson, officials said. All three adults and all three children were living in the home where conditions were described by law enforcement officials as deplorable.
The sheriff's department was called to the property to conduct a wellness check Wednesday evening after a report was received that although there were usually children playing in the yard none had been seen and something seemed amiss at the home. Initially, dozens of dogs were found on the property, but it was believed the home was abandoned.
Animal control officials quickly determined the home was indeed occupied, so a search warrant was obtained and an investigation began. Authorities took custody of the children and of 41 dogs, many ill and malnourished.
The charges filed Friday allege the three adults endangered the lives of the children by allowing them to live in the home that was "in such a deplorable condition that the house was covered in layers as much as 6 inches thick, of animal waste and trash, and there were in excess of 40 dogs living at the residence, creating an environment which was a danger to the child's life or health and well being."
Judge James Campanella declared the children temporary wards of the Department of Children and Family Services at a hearing Friday after finding that the children were neglected or abused. DCFS placed the children in the home of a close family member and attorney David Searby was appointed guardian ad litem to represent their interests.
Officials said there is no indication the children were abused and indeed there exists a loving relationship between the parents and their children. Rather, the charges stem from the neglectful conditions in which the parents lived with the children, law enforcement officials said. Perry County State's Attorney David Stanton said the primary concern of authorities is the children and assuring their well-being.
The Morrises are charged with harboring more than 40 dogs at their home in deplorable conditions with feces up to 6 inches deep, insufficient food and water, and for failing to provide proper medical care for the animals. All three of the defendants signed a consent to forfeiture Friday giving custody of 27 of the dogs to Perry County Animal Officer so they can be adopted.
A hearing will be held Monday, at which time the state intends to seek court authorization to claim custody of the other 14 dogs so they can be placed permanently elsewhere, too. Temporary homes have already been found for all of the animals and screening is under way for people seeking to permanently adopt the animals. Cleanup and medical treatment for the animals has continued as well.
Donations are needed to help cover the costs of medical care and food for the dogs. If you would like to donate, you can send your donations to the Perry County Humane Society, care of Du Quoin State Bank, 15 E. Main Street, Du Quoin, IL 62832.
For more information visit the Web site www.perrycountyhumanesociety.com. Case UpdatesThree rural Du Quoin residents entered guilty pleas to charges against them ranging from endangering the life or health of a child to cruel treatment of animals.
John Todd Morris, 46, and Pruda Morris, 45, entered into a plea bargain agreement in which two counts of child endangerment and one count of cruelty to animal against the pair were dismissed. The Morrises each pleaded guilty to one count of endangering the life or health of a child and one count of cruel treatment of animals.
Both will remain on probation for two years and pay $500 in fines and costs. Additionally, they will undergo counseling and psychological evaluation and counseling for a animal hoarding. They also agreed to submit to random drug testing.
Joey J. Simpson, 28, entered a guilty plea to endangering the life or health or a child. Simpson received the same sentence as the Morrises and will also pay a $10 monthly fee during his 24 months of probation.
The Morrises are the parents of two boys, while Simpson and Pruda Morris are the parents of a girl, all of whom lived at the residence during the time that the trio kept the animals. | Source: Du Quoin Evening Call - July 25, 2005
Update posted on Jul 26, 2005 - 11:27AM |
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