MANNINGTON, W.Va. (WDTV)– UPDATE 08/07/19 10:21 p.m.
Larry Phillips, Rebecca Hibbs and Shirley Butler were arrested and charged with five counts of child neglect after a deputy found five children living in unacceptable conditions on East Main Street in Mannington.
Larry Phillips, Rebecca Hibbs and Shirley Butler were charged with five counts of child neglect.
According to the criminal complaint, the children who were between the ages of 1 to 10 years old were found dirty and looked like they haven’t been bathed in days. Dog feces were found in the floors where the children slept along with garbage, a pan of urine and other issues that the complaint says creates a risk of getting the children sick.
“Children don’t deserve that one bit,” said Nikayla Hennige, a resident who knows of the family. “I’ve talked to those kids personally a couple of times they’re super sweet kids and it just breaks my whole heart.”
Hennige also says that it’s disturbing that the children were found dirty and around feces and says that they deserve better.
“A child should bathe every night they should know what it’s like to have fun and play in a bubble bath and have little rubber duckies and all that fun with the splish and the splash with their parents,” said Hennige.
Cindy Hayes says she is in shock with the care taker’s actions and that something needs to change.
“What would make them think that those conditions would be okay?” “There’s something that we need to do,” said Hayes.
Hennige says that the situation is awful and that she wants to help other children who might be in the same position
“It only makes me think that how many more children are living like that in this small town? We just need more good-hearted people,” said Hennige.
ORIGINAL STORY
Three people were arrested after deputies found five children dirty and living in a home considered to be dangerous Tuesday.
Deputies say they went to the home of Larry Phillips on East Main Street to conduct a house check. Deputies found Phillips sitting inside his vehicle.
When deputies arrived they say Phillips’ girlfriend, Rebbeca Hibbs opened the door to ask what was going on. They could smell a foul odor from the home.
According to the criminal complaint, young children exited the residence while deputies were speaking to Hibbs. Phillips’ mother, Shirley Butler exited the residence a short time later.
Deputies detained Phillips and entered the home. They noticed garbage throughout the home and dirty diapers besides a pack and play where a child sleeps. They also found dog feces that was compacted in the floors of the upstairs where the children sleep along with a pan of what appeared to be urine where the children sleep.
When police inspected the children they found that five children appeared to be dirty and have not bathed in several days.
A large hole was in the floor upstairs where the children sleep and was considered a danger by police.
According to the criminal complaint, Hibbs is the mother of the children and Phillips and Butler were guardians. Child Protective Services were contacted and took custody of the children.
Hibbs, Phillips and Butler have been charged with five counts of child neglect