The parents charged in the death of their 8-week-old Polk County infant made their first court appearance Saturday and had their bond set at $115,000 each.
Megan Betkiewicus, 26, and Mark Waters, 22, both of Frostproof, are charged with one count each of aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect in the death of their daughter, Ashley.
A Polk County judge also said the parents could have no contact with each other or any minor, including another child living in their home.
The child's grandmother, Joyce Waters, 51, of Frostproof is charged with failure to report child neglect. She did not make a court appearance because she is being housed in the crisis stabilization unit.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said they were all living together in "squalor" in a house that had insects, dirty dishes and no running water.
The baby died on August 9, 2015.
Doctors said there didn't appear to be any trauma, but she had a severe diaper rash and was underweight. An autopsy revealed she died of dehydration.
“It was determined Megan and Mark, through failure to provide the victim with care, supervision and services necessary to maintain the victim’s health, did cause the death of the victim due to culpable negligence,” an arrest report said.
Joyce Waters, 51, who is Mark Waters' mother, lives with the baby’s parents at 34 North Street in Frostproof.
The baby's parents and grandmother all told investigators that they had been feeding her but deputies said they saw signs of neglect.
According to the arrest report, Department of Children and Families was called to investigate the condition of another child in the house and said that child was neglected as well.
All three suspects are in the Polk County Jail.