Hoarding, child abuse and neglect
New Bedford, MA (US)Incident Date: Friday, Aug 24, 2007
County: Bristol
Disposition: Not Charged
Persons of Interest:
» April Rice
» Joshua Cadwell
Police arrested a New Bedford couple Friday after they waited two days to bring their 3-week-old infant son to St. Luke's Hospital after he broke his leg, according to police officials.
The couple tried to re-set the baby boy's left leg after his mother, April Rice, of 83 Ruth Street, slammed him down into a chair, according to a police report.
Both Ms. Rice and the baby's father, Joshua Cadwell, were arraigned this afternoon in New Bedford 3rd District Court. Ms. Rice, 21, is charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, assault and battery resulting in serious bodily injury, and assault and battery on a child under 14. She will be held overnight for a competency evaluation due to concerns that she may be "mildly retarded," said Atty. Kerry Souza, who is representing Ms. Rice for the purposes of bail only.
Mr. Cadwell, 30, is charged with being an accessory after the fact to the above crimes. He is being held without bail. Mr. Cadwell is "wanted out of Minnesota" due to credit card fraud, Prosecutor Amy Valente said.
Both will return to court Tuesday for further proceedings.
Police found six cats, a "ferocious" pit bull, a spider, a snake and several mice when they searched the couple's apartment under a warrant, according to the report. The couple, who used to live in Minnesota, is sharing the apartment with Ms. Rice's two friends.
Police found cockroaches crawling on floors, walls and in bags of garbage located in the living room and kitchen. The apartment smelled of cat urine and garbage, according to the report.
The Department of Social Services has taken custody of the baby, who is expected to recover, according to police. The Board of Health and Animal Control Division have been notified as a result of the apartment's condition. References« MA State Animal Cruelty Map
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