A Booneville pair was arrested on a Dallas County warrant Friday in connection with a September incident in which the squalor of their living conditions was deemed to endanger their six children.
Jacob Walter Thomas Mitchell, 34, of 28925 360th St., Booneville, was charged with six counts of child endangerment.
Ariel Meaghan Paul, 32, of 28925 360th St., Booneville, was charged with six counts of child endangerment.
The incident began Sept. 30 about 1 p.m. at 28925 360th St. in Booneville, where Dallas County Deputy Sheriffs conducted a welfare check on children living in the trailer.
The deputies determined that Mitchell, Paul and six minor children were living inside the residence. The ages of the minors were 13, 10, 5, 4, 2 and 11 months.
The deputies “observed what appeared to be feces on the some of the children’s feet and legs,” according to court records, and “animal feces and urine were located all over the floors.”
The deputies observed that “full bags of garbage sat randomly throughout” the residence, according to court records. “The kitchen had dishes piled well outside of the sink and over the counter,” and “clothing appeared scattered throughout” the residence, on some of which “animal feces also appeared.”
The deputies made contact with Mitchell, who said the family has lived in the trailer about six weeks, and “most of the drains in the trailer-house were either slow to drain or not functioning at all,” according to court records.
The minors were removed from the residence for their safety, and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Resources assisted in locating suitable arrangements for them. The children were placed into foster care Oct. 1, according to court records.
Mitchell was held in the Dallas County Jail on a $2,000 cash or surety bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Oct. 15 in Dallas County District Court.
Paul was held in the Dallas County Jail on a $2,000 cash or surety bond. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Oct. 15 in Dallas County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
