BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — An Inez couple were arrested for endangering the welfare of a child after law enforcement found the child standing in feces inside their home.

Jonathan Sherman, 29, and Dovie Daniels, 23, were arrested Monday on Fitch Drive following a welfare check by Chief Deputy Chris Kidd, who was initially responding to an animal cruelty complaint.

Upon entering the home, Deputy Kidd encountered a juvenile female standing in feces. The officer described the child as “very dirty, more so than normal,” and suffering from a severe cough to the extent of losing her breath. This scene was just the beginning of a series of discoveries within the household.

The investigation revealed the presence of multiple piles of feces throughout the home, along with four dogs and three cats.

Deputy Kidd said the kitchen floor was reduced to the sub-flooring with sharp, pointed objects protruding from the surface. Electrical outlets were uncovered and the breaker box was completely exposed with no cover. Floors were strewn with trash and moldy food.

The home had no running water and no place to shower or perform normal hygiene.