Couple arrested for child neglect

JAY, Fla. (WALA) - Santa Rosa sheriff’s deputies arrived at a home in Jay Monday afternoon, responding to a report of a possible domestic disturbance.

When they entered the home, they were shocked and disgusted by what they found.

Photos they have released show bags of garbage strewn around with old food and broken glass. They also show decaying food in the kitchen, and other filth.

That's not all.

Deputies also saw soiled sheets in bedrooms, as well as several pairs of soiled underwear on the floor.

Two children were running around barefoot through the house.

Deputies said one child had urinated on himself.

Sgt. Scott Haines with the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office said deputies were stunned by the conditions.

“As soon as the deputies went inside the residence, they noticed a very strong smell of urine," Sgt. Scott Haines said. "There were small children in the house. It was very apparent, the unclean and unsanitary conditions of this house."

Deputies arrested the children's parents Vance and Rebeccah Ates and charged them with child neglect.

The Department of Children and Families removed the children from the home.

FOX10 went by the home and spoke to Rebeccah Ates.

She said that the DCF has not claimed custody of her children, and she’s simply too busy to go pick them up.

She declined to go on camera, but said the conditions of the home were not as bad as they seem.

However, deputies said the photos speak for themselves.

“They’re pretty much self explanatory. They are conditions that no one, let alone a child, should have to live in," Haines said.

FOX10 tried to reach officials with DCF but were unable to reach them.

Vance and Rebbecah Ates were charged with one count of child neglect and released on $4,000 bond.