Middletown couple faces charges after police remove four children from Cardinal Court home

Melanie and Christopher Todd are in custody after police removed their four children from a Middletown home in September.

Officers responded to the property on Cardinal Court on Sept. 29 following a report from Middletown City Schools. Two 10-year-old students had told staff they appeared dirty and lacked food. The children also reported that two cats had died inside the house.

During the welfare check, deputies documented severe disarray. Holes large enough to see outside existed in the walls and floors. One child told investigators the holes resulted from the parents punching surfaces during arguments. The floors contained dirty clothes, trash, animal feces, and debris. The home was infested with bedbugs and cockroaches, and edible food was scarce. Police described the conditions as deplorable and unlivable.

Officers took the four children to live with other family members. They also removed four cats, pet fish, mice, gerbils, and tarantulas from the residence.

The criminal complaint lists four counts of child endangerment and several counts of animal cruelty against the couple. Both are held at the Butler County Jail.

Todd and Todd are scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday.