CAMDEN COUNTY, Ga. — A Camden County couple is behind bars after their two children were found living in abject conditions at a home in Kingsland.
The Camden County Sheriff’s Office said it was made aware of an ongoing investigation by the Division of Family and Children on Jan. 6, ahead of a welfare inspection at a mobile home on Colerain Road.
A DFCS agent told police that a 10 and 13-year-old had been coming to school dirty, showing signs of poor hygiene and often smelling of marijuana, according to a report obtained by Action News Jax.
That afternoon, police joined DFCS at the children’s home to assess the current conditions inside.
According to the sheriff’s office, the children’s mother, Kristie Edmonds, answered the door and refused to let anyone in until she was informed that based on the severity of the allegations, an inspection was not optional.
The deplorable conditions inside the home are described in graphic detail in the official report.
A CCSO officer wrote that a strong odor of feces filled the home. The entire living room floor was caked with animal feces and all the furniture was flipped upside down and shredded, presumably by one or more of the six animals living inside.
Both children’s bedrooms were covered in feces. In one room, an officer noted a massive pool of urine on the floor next to some blankets and clothes, a mattress saturated in brown and black filth, and cockroaches crawling on the wall.
Investigators found a trail of “smooshed” animal feces throughout the entire home, including the kitchen, where there was reportedly nothing to eat except a few cans of food. Police say all that was observed on the kitchen counter were a few empty soda cans, some trash, and cockroaches.
Both children returned home by school bus while investigators were still at the scene. CCSO said both children were very skinny and pale. One child’s front teeth appeared to be rotten.
Police learned that since 2009, Edmonds has had numerous DCFS referrals involving both children and the cleanliness of her home.
In the report, a neighbor told police that the children’s father, Tracy Jerome, also lived inside the house and used drugs.
Investigators obtained a search warrant and located methamphetamines inside the house.
Edmonds and Jerome were arrested and booked into the Camden County jail. DCFS took custody of both children.
©2022 Cox Media Group
