Four children and one dog neglected, drugs seized New Albany, IN (US) Incident Date: Saturday, Mar 10, 2007 County: Floyd Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: » Edward T. Gordon » Perry A. Martin » Carlos E. Morrison, Jr. » Kristie A. Dunn

Case ID: 10941 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in IN (US) Child or elder neglect Drugs or alcohol involved Login to Watch this Case

Utica Police say an investigation that began early March 10 morning in that town led them to a New Albany home where they found a large amount of drugs and four children living in "pitiful" conditions.

Herman Polen Sr., Utica Police Department�s chief marshal, was reluctant to release many details about the incident, but said an undercover operation led them to arrest four New Albany residents in a home along East Ninth Street and take into protective custody four small children.

The New Albany Police Department assisted in the investigation, but officers asked by The Tribune on Monday were unsure to what level NAPD was involved.

Edward T. Gordon, 27, of 620 E. Ninth St., along with 43-year-old Perry A. Martin and 27-year-old Kristie A. Dunn of the same address, and 20-year-old Carlos E. Morrison Jr., of the 300 block of Erni Avenue, were booked into Floyd County Jail around 3:30 a.m. March 10.

Polen said police found the house in a complete disarray, with food and used diapers on the floor, spoiled food sitting atop the stove and dishes stacked up in the living room. Polen also said the home was infested with mice and rats and the children had several bite marks and rashes on their bodies.

�It looked like a landfill had been dumped inside the house,� Polen said March 12 afternoon.

�I couldn�t sleep that night just thinking about those kids. It was a horrible scene,� he said.

The children � who ranged in age from a newborn to 4 years old � were taken to Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Center where they were treated and released into the care of an aunt living in Borden.

He said a malnourished large mixed-breed dog was also seized by police.

Ted Fulmore, president of the S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association � where the Ninth Street home is located � said he had not heard of the arrests until he received a phone call from a reporter with The Tribune, but the news didn�t come as a shock.

�We have some problem houses in the area, and it does not surprise me that this kind of activity was taking place in one if them,� he said Monday evening. �The housing quality needs to be addressed in that area.�

Fulmore added that he often travels up and down Ninth Street, but cannot recall this particular home arousing his suspicion.

Gordon, Martin, Dunn and Morrison are scheduled to appear in Floyd County Superior Court at 1:30 p.m. on March 14.

Gordon and Martin were booked on charges of trafficking marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school; possession of marijuana more than 30 grams; possession of paraphernalia; trafficking a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school; endangering the welfare of a minor; and animal cruelty. In addition, Martin also faces charges of intimidation of law enforcement, public intoxication and maintaining a common nuisance.

Morrison was booked on charges of dealing in marijuana; dealing in schedule I, II and III narcotics; endangering the welfare of a minor; possession of paraphernalia; and animal cruelty. Dunn faces charges of endangering the welfare of a minor, trafficking marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school and trafficking a controlled substance.

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References

The News and Tribune - March 13, 2007

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