Woman ‘let fleas savage child, 6, and made victim sleep on burst mattress with springs poking out’
A suspected child abuser let fleas ravage her six year-old victim, and made them sleep on a burst mattress with springs sticking out of it, detectives say. Toni Reid, 58, was caught allegedly forcing the youngster to live in abject squalor at her home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on April 22.
Reid, who was arrested May 1, kept three dogs – including a 17 year-old pet left covered in fleas and unable to walk, with her entire house infested with fleas and feces, sheriff’s deputies say. The kitchen of the squalid property had multiple knives and containers of dangerous chemicals within reach of the six year-old, it is alleged.
The child, whose gender and relationship to Reid have not been released to protect their privacy, was made to sleep in a bedroom furnished only with a bare mattress, it is claimed.
They called Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office to report the abuse they’d suffered last month, and locked Reid out of the house until deputies arrived. Once law enforcement officials entered the property, they found the youngster hiding in a closet.
Deputies who entered Reid’s home were themselves covered with fleas within minutes of crossing its boundary. She has been charged with child neglect.
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