Couple Arrested After Letting 3 Kids Live in Filthy Home With Black Mold and Bugs in the Fridge

A Kentucky couple was arrested for allowing their three children to live in a filthy home, which had poor conditions including black mold and dead bugs in their fridge.

Timothy MacDonald and Lana MacDonald have been charged with second-degree criminal abuse. Both Timothy and Lana appear to have been released, and they are not listed as being detained at the Pike County Detention Center as of time of publication.

Authorities learned of the family’s living conditions when the Kentucky State Police were called to a home in Pike County, Kentucky, on the evening of Tuesday, August 18.

State troopers and an employee with the Department for Community Based Services reported to the home around 5:30 p.m. for a welfare check, according to WYMT.

Upon their arrival, authorities knocked on the door. No one answered, but the authorities reportedly heard small children and a dog inside.

An officer then resorted to knocking on a window, and a girl opened the front door. She reportedly told authorities that her mother was busy working in her bedroom and her father was not home. However, Timothy showed up on an ATV soon after.

Troopers learned that the couple had a history of legal issues, with Timothy having six active warrants in the county and Lana having four. It’s not currently clear why the warrants were issued against them.

Lana eventually exited the home, but she told the troopers they were not allowed inside. Authorities said she told them that “if she was going to jail, she was not letting [them] inside,” per the outlet.

Timothy eventually got his oldest daughter to let them inside of the home, and authorities found three children inside. Law enforcement said that the children were 16, 11 and 5 years old, and only one of the children was wearing a T-shirt as they entered the residence.

Authorities said that the house was in horrible condition. For example, troopers went to look in the kitchen and found that the fridge was covered in black mold and was filled with dead bugs.

Timothy and Lana were then arrested and their children were placed into protective custody.

It’s not currently clear whether Timothy or Lana have entered pleas or retained legal counsel following their arrests. The Kentucky State Police did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding updates in the case.

The investigation into the case remains ongoing.