Three Georgia adults were arrested after 15 children were found living in a “deplorable” two-bedroom apartment.
Ashley Jackson, Derrick Jackson and Briana Reynolds were arrested on Thursday, September 24, and charged with multiple felony counts of first and second-degree child cruelty and a misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge, according to online jail records.
The three defendants are currently being held in the Cobb County Adult Detention Center without bond.
Ashley, 40, Derrick, 41, and Reynolds, 36, were reportedly taken into custody after staff members at the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services asked officers with the Marietta Police Department to perform a welfare check on two children at an apartment complex, according to arrest warrants obtained by Fox 5.
After detectives were unable to contact any adults inside the home upon arrival, they began the process of obtaining a search warrant. During this time, 15 children reportedly emerged from the home. The kids – who are all between the ages of 1 and 17 – were then relocated to safe environments by DFCS staff.
Ashley, Derrick and Reynolds arrived at the apartment three hours later, and reportedly told the officers they were the children’s biological parents.
The detectives then searched the home, where they discovered “deplorable conditions” inside the residence. The arrest warrant stated that they found a mold-covered blanket inside one of the bedrooms, while there were only nine beds for the 15 children and three adults that lived in the home.
The apartment also had little food, with detectives finding only a jar of peanut butter and a box of pasta. Additionally, authorities could not find any toilet paper inside the apartment.
The three adults are each facing 30 counts of child cruelty, while Derrick was also charged with crossing state/county guard lines with weapons, intoxicants or drugs without consent. He was hit with the charge after police grew to believe he was hiding marijuana in his rectum at the county correctional facility, according to the warrant.
It is not currently clear if Ashley, Derrick or Reynolds have entered pleas or retained legal counsel following their arrests. The Marietta Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding the case.
Following the three adults’ arrests, neighbor Randi Hunter told ABC 24 the children kept to themselves and often left the home at odd hours.
“They never talked,” Hunter said. “They never made eye contact. From what I could see, they didn’t look malnourished, looked like they were eating.”
Hunter added that “they never said anything to anybody and they “just walked straight toward the car” whenever they left the apartment.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
