Parents Charged After Baby Found Dead In Appalling Home Conditions

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In Madison County, the parents of an infant are facing charges after their baby boy was found dead.

35-Year-old’s Timothy and Amy Elkins are facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, felony child endangerment as well as misdemeanor child endangerment with bond for each of the parents set at $125,000.

Officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the 2-month-old. Emergency crews got the call to the home at around 5am Tuesday for a baby who was not breathing. The infant was then rushed to Staunton Memorial Hospital, but pronounced dead a short time later.

The home boarded up soon after the death of the child, by the city of New Douglas. There are notices on the doors and windows of the home that say:

“This structure is unsafe, and occupancy has been prohibited by the city. No trespassing.”

Police have described the conditions inside the home as, “deplorable.”  According to reports, there were at least seven kids living in the home with the parents.  Investigators said that they have never ever seen living conditions as bad as this case.  Rooms with trash piled to the ceiling and dog feces were everywhere.

Only one mattress was found on the floor, which indicated that it was the place where all the kids slept.  Investigators believe that the baby was sleeping in a pumpkin seat, when it was bumped during the night – the baby was found face down. According to preliminary autopsy reports, the infant suffocated.

The other children living in the home are now living with another family.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services have now been called to assist with the investigation.