4 members of Bradenton family charged with child neglect held in jail another night due to confusion over children's ages
MANATEE -- Four family members will be held in the Manatee County jail on charges of child neglect at least one more night due to unclear information in a probable cause affidavit.
Theresa Miller, 19, the mother; Keith Davis, 47, the father; Linda A. Miller, 40, the grandmother; and Linda E. Miller, 67, the great-grandmother, were each charged with two counts of child neglect after deputies found 20-month-old and 8-month-old babies living in "deplorable" conditions, according to a press release from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
The probable cause affidavit, the basis for arresting the four and setting bonds, did not list the ages of the children, only saying a "young boy and girl."
Patrick Kane, an assistant public defender in Manatee County, said to charge the four with child neglect there had to be proof the boy and girl were minors.
Charles Near, assistant state attorney, said the affidavit mentioned that the children were wearing diapers so it was obvious they were minors.
"We can assume these are children, if not infants," Near said.
Kane also argued in the case of Linda A. Miller there was no evidence she was a primary caregiver, which means neglect charges do not apply to her.
Judge Charles Sniffen told all four suspects they would have to remain in jail until another appearance in court at 8 a.m. Saturday so the court could receive clarifying information about the children.
Manatee County deputies, serving an eviction notice Thursday morning at a residence in the 1500 block of 60th Avenue Drive East in Bradenton, reported horrible living conditions, including trash all over the yard, cats wandering the property, swarming flies, an "unbearable" smell, human and animal feces and urine all over the floors and walls, a blanket soaked with urine, broken glass all over the yard and an unused bathtub, according to the arrest report.
The children wore diapers "soaking wet from urination and sagging to the floor with feces," deputies reported. They also had dirt and bug bites all over.
A homeless camp with multiple people living in tents and a shed was set up in the backyard, according to the press release.
Child Protective Services sheltered the two children and the four family members were arrested. They are being held without bond at the Manatee County jail.
The family has lived in the home since May 30, 2012, "with knowledge of these conditions," the probable cause affidavit states.
This story was originally published December 11, 2015 at 7:18 PM with the headline "4 members of Bradenton family charged with child neglect held in jail another night due to confusion over children's ages ."