A Georgia couple was detained last month after officials found their three young children at a campsite, reportedly abandoned, hungry, and covered in mud and feces.
According to reports from local Fox 5, WKRC, and WSB-TV, police in Carroll County, Ga., allege that Jason and Kira Askea left their children unsupervised at a local campsite in Little Tallapoosa Park. A neighboring camper told investigators that the children said they were without food for several days before their parents returned.
According to Carroll County Jail records, Jason, 46, and Kira, 41, have been held without bail for more than a month since their arrest on September 16. Both have been charged with one count of first-degree cruelty to children, according to records.
According to court filings, the children, ages 2, 4, and 5, were discovered alone in a tent by authorities after a worried camper set up nearby noted the youngsters appeared to be left unsupervised. The camper informed authorities that one of the youngsters claimed they hadn’t eaten in two days and that the children seemed to be covered in feces.
According to Fox 5, police allege that the couple’s 2-year-old kid has Down syndrome and cannot walk or communicate. According to court papers, authorities claimed the boy was in particularly poor health when investigators arrived at the campsite, since his parents allegedly cut out his breathing and feeding tubes before abandoning their three children. According to the publication, the toddler allegedly suffered brain damage as a result of the lack of care, and authorities also observed dental negligence.
According to WKRC, the couple returned to the campsite just as an ambulance was transporting their children to a local hospital for medical attention, and deputies arrested them there. According to WSB-TV, medical officials at the hospital discovered that the 2-year-old youngster also had untreated seizures, which had an influence on his brain function.
According to WKRC, the Askea family’s three children have been placed in custody by the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services.
