Staff Report
COLUMBIA CITY — Two people from Columbia City were arrested on child neglect charges after their residence was deemed unsuitable for habitation.
Chyanne C. Egner, 33; and Kenneth M. Woodley, 26, both of 212 Park Terrace Blvd., Columbia City, are each charged with neglect of a dependent, a level 6 felony.
On May 23, a Columbia City Police officer assisted Whitley County Department of Child Services representatives with the removal of three children from a residence. Egner and Woodley resided at the home. The children were removed from the residence due to Whitley County Health Department finding the home unsuitable for habitation.
Upon the officer’s arrival at the scene, Egner was irate and slammed the residence’s front door. According to court documents, while the door was open, the officer noticed the home was very cluttered. One of Egner’s relatives arrived on scene and DCS agreed the children could go with the relative if she met all requirements to house the children.
A WCHD representative described the home as cluttered. The health department’s report stated there were over-the-counter drugs on the floor which were accessible to the young children. Conditions included open and discarded food stuffs on the furniture and on the floor, in mass.
Egner and Woodley’s bedroom had an extreme amount of clothing on the floor and on the bed, making it difficult for two people to be in the room at one time. Piles of clothing and trash were also discovered throughout the home.
The report stated Egner said she was not going to clean the home and did not think the home was in a bad state.
Egner and Woodley both have already been arrested and released on bond.
