Three adults were arrested in Wolcottville after reports came into the Department of Child Services that there was a severely malnourished baby living in the home according to the Journal Gazette. Paul N. Martin, 41, Cheyenne M. Stiner, 26 and Jerry L. Snyder, 23, were all arrested for the neglect of five children.

Once the allegations were confirmed, Kristi Bucher, DCS case manager, along with Wolcottville police officers, obtained an emergency removal order and entered the home.  Upon arrival, they found a severely malnourished 3-month-old, 1-year-old, 7-year-old, 4-year-old and a 5-year-old.

Officers found the children suffered from head lice, and scabies.  The 1-year-old suffered from a double ear infection and pneumonia.  The 3-month-old girl had hypothermia, was emaciated and severely dehydrated.  As a result, medics could not insert an IV and had to drill a hole in a bone in her leg to give her fluids.

According to an affidavit, officials also found feces all over the home and no running water.  The home did not contain proper bathrooms and beds.  Dirty diapers, dirty clothes and feces filled the home with a foul smell.

Stiner told police when asked why they had not gotten medical attention for the 3-month-old “We did not have the means or money to take the baby to the doctor” and said she “wanted to figure it out on her own.”  However, Martin told investigators that he was trying the best he could and that the other adults in the home were “just lazy.”

Martin, father to the 4-year-old, is being charged with one count of neglect of a dependent and was released on a $4,500 bond.

Stiner, mother to four of the children, is being charged with four counts of neglect of a dependent and is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Snyder, father to three of the children is being charged with three counts of neglect of a dependent and is also being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.