Authorities in Flagler County, Florida, have arrested a man and woman after investigators discovered a toddler and an elderly family member living in what officials described as severely unsanitary and dangerous conditions, including cockroaches crawling on a sleeping baby.
Nikolas Anthony Cummings, 32, and Tashaye Driaunah Brown, 31, are each charged with one count of cruelty toward a child without great bodily harm and one count of neglect of an elderly or disabled adult with great bodily harm, according to court records.
The investigation began Tuesday when Flagler County Fire Rescue responded to a request for a welfare check on an 81-year-old man at a residence in the 100 block of Westmoreland Drive in Palm Coast. First responders immediately noticed the apartment was filled with trash, cockroach droppings, and sticky surfaces, accompanied by what officials later described as a “vile and putrid odor.”
According to a probable cause affidavit, emergency personnel found the elderly man lying on a mattress that showed extensive signs of prolonged neglect.
“While assisting the elderly male, insects emerged from the mattress and clothing worn by the elderly male,” police wrote. “That same mattress appeared to have been defecated and urinated on, countless times as stains were spread wide, covering almost the entire surface. The pillowcases appeared to be completely discolored with brown and orange stains.”
While on scene, responders realized a child believed to be under two years old was also living in the residence. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Community Policing Division was then called to assist.
Deputies described struggling to move through the apartment due to debris and garbage scattered throughout the home. In the living room, they found a one-year-old child asleep in a Pack ’n Play.
“Roaches and bugs were observed crawling over [the 1-year-old] while he slept,” the affidavit states.
When Brown was asked to show deputies the child’s food supply, investigators reported discovering mold-covered and expired food inside the refrigerator.
Detectives returned to the home the following day and found the toddler still sleeping in the same enclosure, with cockroaches inside. Investigators documented Brown’s reported method of attempting to manage the infestation.
“[S]he sprays Raid Roach Spray around the home,” the affidavit said. “More specifically, each night she flips [the 1-year-old’s] portable enclosure upside down to shake the insects out. Then [Brown] places [the 1-year-old] back inside and sprays a ‘protective’ tight circle of Raid Roach Spray around the immediate base of the enclosure.”
Detectives noted the hazardous nature of the chemicals and said they repeatedly removed insects from the child’s sleeping area, only for more to emerge.
“Insects endlessly continued to emerge from the fabric of the enclosure,” investigators concluded.
Throughout the apartment, authorities observed black stains believed to be a combination of roach droppings and mold.
Conditions in the elderly man’s bedroom were described as equally alarming. Detectives reported an overpowering odor of urine and noted that the man, while alert, was unable to reach a nearby portable toilet. He told investigators he had not changed his clothes in about a week.
“While on scene with [the victim], insects were seen emerging from his socks and scabs on his legs,” the affidavit states.
Brown and Cummings were arrested and taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. As of Friday, both were being held on a $15,000 bond.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly condemned the conditions and rejected any suggestion that financial hardship played a role.
“The deplorable conditions of that house were no place for a toddler or a senior with serious medical issues,” Staly said. “These two feigned ignorance over the trash, feces and insects covering the floors, walls and victims inside the home. This was not a matter of money, they did not care about the hygiene of their home, the welfare of their child, or the medical needs of their family members. They put in zero effort. We will make sure their cells are clean at the Green Roof Inn.”
Court records show Brown and Cummings are scheduled to appear for arraignment on Feb. 4.
