A Sarasota couple has been arrested on charges of child neglect.

Amanda Dean, 34, and Joseph Dromeshauser, III, 34, have been charged with five counts each of child neglect without great bodily harm.

  • Couple arrested on child neglect charges
  • Kids found living in home with broken glass, feces, and drugs
  • Detective stated, "The conditions in this home were the worst I've ever seen"

Sarasota police officers responded to a home on 18th Street on Nov. 28 in reference to a welfare check.

Officers said when they arrived at the scene they found five children at the home - a 17-year-old male, 12-year-old male, 10-year-old male, 2-year-old male, and an 11-month-old female. 

Officers said the conditions in the home were not suitable to live in. According to the report, officers said they saw broken glass scattered throughout the home, animal and human feces on the floor and multiple prescription pill containers left open within reach of the children. 

They also noticed trash, clothes, rotting food, and a strong oder of urine throughout the home. The officers stated that the counter tops and sinks were also filled with dishes, rotting food, trash, and bottles of urine. 

According to the report, officers found a burnt brillo and a pipe used to smoke crack cocaine inside one of the bedrooms in plain view - which was also near more empty pill bottles. 

Officers learned that the home had no running water or means of disposal for human waste. They were told that the family commuted to a family member's home once a week to shower the children and wash clothes. 

"The conditions in this home were the worst I've ever seen," said Detective Megan Buck, with the Criminal Investigations Division. "No child or adult should have to live in conditions like this. Someone knew something wasn't right with this family and called law enforcement. I'm thankful they did."

The Department of Children and Families was contacted to conduct an investigation and the children have been removed from the home.

Dromeshauser is also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.