2 arrested for child neglect after baby found in feces with 13 cats

MUNCIE, Ind. — Police have charged two individuals after they reportedly had a filthy home filled with animal feces that babies crawled in.

Sheylene Helmick and Durrand Sherman were charged with three felony counts of Neglect of a Dependent and a misdemeanor charge of Animal Neglect.

Officers were dispatched on Monday at 2 p.m. to the 5000 block of West County Road on a report of child abuse by the Department of Child Services that said the conditions were ‘unlivable.’

Upon arrival to the scene around 2:27 p.m., officials could smell a strong odor of urine and ammonia coming from the home before the door was even open. When authorities got inside, they found 13 cats, one dog, one young child, and two babies.

According to court documents, the living room was covered in feces. Investigators described the house as ‘disgusting’ and littered with old food and trash. Authorities also saw one of the two babies crawling in feces on the floor. The same baby had feces on their face, as reported in court documents.

Helmick and Sherman were transported to the Delaware County Jail.

This is an active investigation. Information will be updated as it becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 59.