BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

TOMAHAWK — A couple are behind bars following their arrest Tuesday on multiple charges related to the endangerment and criminal abuse of minors.

Tomahawk residents Elvie Daniels Wallace, 38, and Charles Wallace, 58, are facing charges of endangering the welfare of a minor, third-degree criminal abuse of a child (12 or under), and third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at approximately 3:35 p.m. at the Wallace residence on Wooten Road in Tomahawk to check on two juvenile children. Chief Deputy Chris Kidd discovered the residence, a doublewide structure, was improperly assembled and leaning and showed signs of recent fire damage.

Two children, ages 6 and 7, were in an excessively dirty state, with black dirt on their faces and feet.

The interior of the home was full of clutter and garbage to the point of being impassable.

Part of the roof was missing, having recently caught fire. Remaining roof trusses were dangling with exposed nails and screws.

Additionally, the house lacked basic amenities. There was no kitchen or running water, and the only toilet in the home was non-functional and overflowing with feces.

Open flames and heat sources were uncovered and within easy reach of the children.

Open-blade knives were scattered on the floor.

The exterior of the home had holes in the walls and a complete lack of insulation.

When questioned, the parents admitted that their children had never been enrolled in any form of schooling. They stated they tried to do home-schooling but could never set it up. Both said they knew the children should be in some type of school.

The Wallaces are in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville.