Abuse charges for Franklin Co. parents after children found living in deplorable condition

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Franklin County Sheriff says a mother and a father are behind bars after an investigation found their children severely malnourished, in a home infested with bugs, with feces caked on their hands.

The Sheriff says, on Monday, 25-year old Kimberly Powell and 26-year-old Andrew Powell were indicted by a Franklin Co. Grand Jury, each charged with 3 counts of criminal abuse, one for each of the children, aged 6, 4, and 2.

The indictment reads that the Powells, “subjected their children to cruel confinement, and otherwise failed to provide the children with adequate medical care, supervision, food, and clothing, and placed them in situations that may cause serious physical injury.

According to the Sheriff, an investigation into the children’s well being began on July 15, when his office began receiving reports from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

According to the Sheriff, the investigation found that the windows of the home the children were living in were covered with black plastic, blocking out any sunlight.  The children were also routinely locked in a bedroom alone with a makeshift lock made with a shoestring.  Investigators say all three of the children were severely malnourished, and there was little food in the home.  Detectives also say the home had a strong smell of feces and urine, and that bugs were seen crawling on the counters and walls.

The children themselves had not been to see a doctor in two to three years, according to the Sheriff, who adds they were found in heavily soiled diapers, with caked feces on their hands, and dark stains on their mattresses.

Both Andrew and Kimberly Powell were taken to the Franklin Co. Regional Jail, and are each being held on $25,000 bonds.