Two in Springfield charged with allowing kids to live in filth

Michael Sanders II and Trista Gray

Michael Sanders II and Trista Gray

A Springfield man and woman are accused of allowing two children to live in “deplorable” conditions where dog feces were found in many rooms.

Michael Sanders II, 25 and Trista Gray, 26, were charged in Clark County Municipal Court with two counts of Endangering Children. They pleaded not guilty and were released on their own recognizance.

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Springfield police began their investigation when they were contacted by an anonymous person who complained about the living conditions of the home. They made contact with the two people at the home on the 1800 block of West Washington Street, an affidavit filed with the charges says.

“Inside of the front room was clutter and trash and fresh and old dog feces,” the affidavit says. “I went into the kitchen and there was trash all over the floor, feces and flies everywhere. I opened one of the refrigerators and it was covered in mold. The other refrigerator was working and there did appear to be food inside.”

Trash was found in other areas of the home and dog feces were found in two bedrooms, one of which appeared to be a children’s playroom, according to the affidavit.

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The two allegedly told police the issues began about a month ago when they got two additional dogs. They allegedly said that they had become overwhelmed with the mess.

The children were put in the custody of Sander’s father, the affidavit says.

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