Florida couple arrested after children found living in 'deplorable' conditions: affidavit

 A Florida couple was arrested last week after their two young children were found living in "abusive" conditions, according to an affidavit from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Tawnya and Devin White were both charged with negligent child abuse after the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigated a report of possible child neglect related to environmental hazards at a home in Alturas, according to a PCSO arrest affidavit obtained. He was arrested and charged. By local outlet Daily Ridge.

According to the affidavit, Tawnya, a DCF employee for 13 years, was confirmed to be working for the agency at the time of her arrest, but was terminated following the results of the investigation. DCF requested help from law enforcement after attempting to look inside the home since January 21 following a report about conditions at the home.

The two children who lived at the residence with Tawnya and Devin were 7 months and 7 years old. There were also five dogs on the property, and four of them were kept inside.

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When deputies arrived at the scene, they found "overgrown grass and junk/debris scattered around the property" outside the home, the affidavit states.

"The interior of the home was in poor condition – including moldy furniture, standing water, junk debris and piles of dog feces," the document added.

A deputy who interviewed Tawnya in the front yard of her home reported in the affidavit that she said her husband, Devin, had previously been involved in a car accident, which had affected her mobility and her ability to help maintain the home. His capacity was limited. She said she worked a full-time job with DCF and was trying to clean the house, but was struggling to do it alone.

Tawnya also told the deputy that the 7-month-old child would not leave the master bedroom unless he was taken outside.

During an interview inside the home with Devin, the deputy said he took blame for the "conditions of the residence" because he was not able to help clean up and did not want to ask for help. She also said the two children did not play inside the house and were "confined to the master bedroom," the affidavit shows.

Deputies also noted that the infant appeared to be "developmentally delayed due to being confined in the bassinet all day" as it was not safe for him to be at home without confinement. The baby has not even started crawling yet.

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With Tanya's consent, photographs were taken inside and outside the residence to document its conditions. The interior had trash, knives, and other items scattered across the floor, several pieces of dog feces in various stages of decomposition, and the strong smell of dog urine was noticeable throughout the house.

Plywood flooring in several areas of the home was also visible, with new and old animal urine and feces stains on it, according to the affidavit. Kitchen counters, sinks, and stoves had objects blocking those spaces, and no areas for food consumption or preparation were observed.

Polk County Fire Rescue also responded to the home, conducted air quality testing and found that ammonia levels in the home were 20 parts per million even though the front door was open an hour before the test was conducted.

The affidavit states that both Tanya and Devin "have been uncooperative in allowing anyone inside the residence," which prompted police to gain access inside the residence through a court order obtained by DCF. .

The couple had 19 days to clean up the home after being first contacted by DCF, yet the conditions of the residence remained "unhealthy and unsafe" for the children.

"The conditions inside the home show a clear lack of proper food, nutrition, clothing, shelter and supervision that a reasonable person would consider necessary for the well-being of the children," the affidavit said.

Both Tawnya and Devin were arrested "without incident" and taken into custody.