Authorities say two parents are facing child abuse charges after their children were discovered living in a feces-covered apartment in Glendale last week.
Arthur Jackson, 41, and Sara Jackson, 36, were arrested for the alleged crimes.
On January 29, soon after 1:30 p.m., Glendale police received a report of a naked child standing in a window of an apartment at 67th Avenue and Bethany Home Road.
Sara reportedly answered the door and went to retrieve the kids, two boys aged four and six. According to court documents, officers watched Sara rip zip ties off a 5-6 foot tall gate while going to fetch the kids from the bedroom.
When authorities approached the children, they discovered “dried feces” in the 6-year-old’s hair, according to police. According to court documents, authorities discovered flies swarming, an insect infestation, and feces on the living room’s walls and floors.
Sara informed detectives that there were two 9mm handguns and an AK-47 in the residence. Police discovered one firearm under a pillow in the bedroom where the youngsters were playing. According to court documents, the “magazine was loaded, and the chamber was empty.”
According to court documents, the children slept in the apartment’s only bedroom, which was covered with feces on the walls, floor, and mattress. Officers also saw that the children lacked bedding and that the electrical sockets were not covered.
The single restroom in the apartment was attached to the bedroom, and investigators discovered that the doorknob was zip-tied to a screw, “so the children could not use it,” according to court filings.
Both youngsters were sent to the hospital to be examined. During their examination of the flat, detectives discovered food in the fridge and running water, but also feces on the living room floor, a bug infestation, and a second damaged gate near the front entrance.
Officers reportedly discovered a six-foot-high fence fastened on the doorway to the apartment’s only bedroom. Police reported finding severed zip ties on the floor.
“Every surface, including the ceiling and mattress, was covered in smeared feces,” a court document reads.
According to court documents, authorities broke the zip-ties holding the bathroom door and discovered it to be filthy, as well as the sink and shower being clogged with “various miscellaneous items.”
Authorities met with Sara, who stated that both boys are not toilet trained and dislike using the porta-potty in their bedroom. She reportedly stated that they installed a gate in the bedroom because her 6-year-old began “pooping on the floor” and “likes to throw his feces.” She stated they tried to scrub the walls but “gave up,” according to court documents.
When police asked her why she didn’t clean up the excrement, she said things like “I’m a bad mom sometimes,” “I’m overwhelmed,” and “I don’t have motivation,” according to court filings. She also mentioned that her husband, Arthur, does not speak about the state of the house or the children.
Sara told authorities that neither boy has attended school or seen a doctor since they were born. Authorities claim she also admitted she is aware that her children sleep on a feces-covered mattress, but neither she nor her husband do.
When detectives questioned Arthur, he reportedly stated that he “works a lot and doesn’t have time to scrub the apartment.” Police say he confirmed the feces on the floor and walls, claiming it began “around Christmas.”
According to court documents, Arthur stated that when he works up to nine hours per day, six days a week, the children are in the bedroom with the gate closed. He claimed that he opens the gate when he gets home. However, court documents claim that Sara informed investigators that the boys are locked in the room with the gate closed “24 hours a day, seven days a week,” even when Arthur is around.
Both children are in the custody of the Arizona Department of Child Safety while staff look for a placement for them.
Sara and Arthur were charged with two counts of child abuse each. They’re being jailed on $25,000 bonds each.
