Az. couple arrested after 3 kids found living without food, toilet 'filled to the brim' with feces
07/20/2022 3:34 pm PDT
MESA, Ariz. (TCD) -- A couple was arrested this week after their daughters were allegedly found living in a home without food or water.
Maricopa County Jail records show Katrina Johnson and Brandon Edwards were both booked into custody on three counts of child abuse and three counts of contributing to the dependency of a minor.
KTVK-TV reports Maricopa County Sheriff's Office officials first went to Edwards and Johnson's home on 96th Street and Broadway Road on Feb. 20 because a neighbor called to report their daughters had been asking for food and something to drink. When deputies went inside the residence, they reportedly found very little food.
According to KPNX-TV, deputies obtained a search warrant of the home and discovered a toilet "filled to the brim with human feces." The home lacked running water and had "excessive amounts of trash" everywhere.
One of the daughters reportedly told investigators their parents could not afford to buy food, though investigators learned Johnson's mother had sent her thousands of dollars. KPNX reports Johnson allegedly admitted she used the money to buy drugs instead of paying for rent and other necessities.
The girls were reportedly not enrolled in school even though Edwards claimed Johnson was homeschooling them. Johnson reportedly said she signed them up for an online school.
According to KTVK, Johnson reportedly told investigators they moved into the home because they "had no other options," but said her kids did not go to school because of "bad choices and even pure laziness."
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