Ma and Grandma Accused of Child Neglect

(Coeur D'Alene, Idaho) Elizabeth C. Crossley and Ruth K. Cassidy, mother and grandmother of twin toddlers, have been accused of child neglect after a welfare worker found the children naked and living in filth.



Elizabeth Crossley -- Ruth Cassidy
The welfare worker, Anthony Brown, saw the children sleeping naked on the floor in dirty conditions.

The police report said conditions inside the apartment were horrific, every wall appearing to have fecal matter on it. The carpet also appeared to be soaked with urine and feces. The officer reported there was also exposed heaters and electrical outlets.

The officer observed a large number of cats and two dogs in the residence. He said the apartment was dirty with clutter strewn about and rotten food in the kitchen.

The officer viewed Crossley’s and Cassidy’s bedroom and saw beds in both rooms appeared relatively clean. The officer said he asked to see the children but both women tried to keep them from doing so.

The police report states the officer was met with a strong order of fecal matter when opening a bedroom door with the girls inside. The smell was overwhelming to the point he officer had to step outside the door.

The officer immediately removed the girls from the room and placed them into protective custody. He observed injuries on both children; bruising on various parts of their bodies and open sores.

Both girls had dried fecal matter caked on their heads, arms, legs, hands, and feet.

The grandmother could not identify which child was which without looking at their injuries. The children are now in protective custody.