15 Kids Found Living in 'Deplorable Conditions' at Georgia Apartment, 3 Adults Arrested

MARIETTA, Ga. — Three adults face child cruelty charges after police in Georgia said they found more than a dozen children inside a home during a welfare check, living in “deplorable conditions.”

The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services asked Marietta police for assistance while conducting a welfare check at an apartment after receiving a report that two children were living there.

Detectives began seeking a search warrant after police said they were unable to contact an adult at the apartment.

While officers were processing the warrant, 15 children, ranging in age from 1 to 17, came out of the two-bedroom apartment, police said. Childrens services staff moved them to safe environments.

About three hours later, three adults arrived at the apartment: 40-year-old Ashley Jackson, 41-year-old Derrick Jackson and 36-year-old Briana Reynolds.

Police said all three adults claimed to be the biological parents of the 15 children. Officers took them to police headquarters for further questioning.

Detectives obtained the search warrant and entered the apartment, which they described as having “deplorable conditions” for living.

According to the warrants, the children lacked necessary sustenance and hygienic necessities, putting their health and well-being at risk. The documents also state that there were no recent signs of toilet paper inside the apartment.

The warrants also state that the apartment did not have enough food to adequately support and nourish the children. They further indicate that only nine beds were available for the 18 people living there. In addition, investigators reportedly saw a blanket hanging in one of the bedrooms with visible mold growing on it. They also found 3.5 grams of marijuana on a desk in one of the bedrooms.

All three adults were charged with first-degree cruelty to children, second-degree cruelty to children, and marijuana possession. Derrick Jackson also faced a charge of crossing the guard line. According to the warrants, he entered the jail with marijuana concealed in his rectum.