Two Ohio parents were arrested by police officers after their children were found in horrific conditions. According to authorities, the detectives were serving a search warrant in relation to a sexual assault investigation. A woman had claimed that she was sexually assaulted and robbed by Varney and Smith at her home.
The parents, 38-year-old Franklin “TJ” Varney and 25-year-old Megan Smith, and the grandmother, 61-year-old Ella Webb, face felony charges. Police in Ohio reportedly found the couple’s 3-year-old locked in a bug-infested cage and a 2-year-old in the same home holding a methamphetamine pipe. The children’s parents and grandmother all have been arrested and charged in the case.
Police initially went to the home to investigate a sexual assault charge against the couple, according to a Facebook post from the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities obtained a search warrant Sunday concerning a sexual assault charge for a home on Bear Run Road in Logan, Ohio, according to the sheriff’s office via Facebook. Deputies reported the house was in “deplorable condition” when they arrived. Once inside, they found two toddlers.
First, they discovered a 3-year-old, who was locked inside a cage secured with zip ties. The inside of the cage was reportedly filled with bugs, soiled bedding, and a cup of spoiled milk, according to the Facebook post. A 2-year-old also was found in the home carrying a methamphetamine pipe.
According to the sheriff’s office, Varney and Smith left the residence because of their alleged involvement in the sexual assault investigation. The grandmother was reportedly taking care of the children and had custody of them.
Deputies detained Webb and took her into custody on Sunday. On Monday, deputies found Varney and Smith after running after them in the woods near the couple’s home. They ultimately arrested the couple.
The sheriff’s office reported that the children are safe and in emergency foster care with South Central Ohio Job and Family Services. Varney, Smith, and Webb are all in police custody and face third-degree felony charges of endangering children.
Police arrested Smith on August 24 concerning a drug bust in Athens, Ohio, according to a Facebook post from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.
“Agents conducted a search of the property and located bulk amounts of suspected heroin as well as suspected methamphetamine and a marijuana grow which produced a total of twenty-one plants,” the post read. “Also located during the search was U.S. currency, electronics, and evidence of drug trafficking.”
Authorities arrested Smith and another suspect. She had “several active warrants from Athens and Hocking Counties” when she was booked in Southeast Ohio Regional Jail.
Watch the video report below for more details:
Source: AWM
