Documents: Muncie parents arrested for neglect after police found their home infested with cockroaches and littered with cat feces

MUNCIE, Indiana – Two Muncie parents have been arrested and preliminarily charged with multiple counts of neglect of a dependent person.

According to two affidavits filed Tuesday, Amanda Jean Meadows, 34, and Paul Meadows, 32, left their apartment in a “disgusting” condition while three children lived there.

On June 29, police were initially dispatched to the residence, located in the 700 block of West Howard Street in Muncie, to investigate a reported disturbance. Police were told that Amanda and Paul had been arguing loudly because Paul may have inappropriately touched one of the children living in their residence.

When police arrived at the scene, they found an apartment they described as “filthy” and “unsafe.” According to court documents, the house was infested with cockroaches and the floor was littered with cat feces. Police reported that “a very strong, foul odor” was coming from the house.

According to court documents, cockroaches were visible on footage from officers’ body cameras. The video showed cockroaches crawling along the walls of the house.

After their first visit on June 29, police returned to the residence on July 8. Upon their return, officers found that the apartment was still in poor condition.

Police eventually arrested Amanda and Paul for subjecting the children to these filthy conditions. They were both booked into the Delaware County Jail on July 8.

Amanda and Paul were each preliminarily charged with three counts of neglect of a dependent.

Neglect of a dependent is a Level 6 felony in Indiana. The maximum penalty for a Level 6 felony in the Hoosier State is 2.5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.