5 facing charges after police find child locked in cage in Carrollton home

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Five people were arrested Monday, Nov. 4, after a child was found locked in a cage, according to Carrollton police.

Detectives got a tip from a delivery driver who noticed something was off inside the home. When police were able to enter the home they found a boy under the age of three in a wooden and metal enclosure that was padlocked in a home in the 700 block of 7th Street, Carrollton.

The boy was discovered without any clothes on, living in a 12-foot by 8-foot cage, that was by all accounts, filthy.

“What few toys were in there were heavily soiled with feces and urine, and a futon style bed in that location that was heavily soiled.” Detective Dave Roberts with the Carrollton Police Department said.

Detectives then secured the area and executed a search warrant of the property. Two children were removed from the home following an initial investigation.

Police arrested and charged the following people:

Brenda Chilton, 71, of Carrollton. Charged with criminal abuse and wanton endangerment.
William Mahoney, 72, of Carrollton. Charged with criminal abuse and wanton endangerment.
Codey Johnson, 29, of Carrollton. Charged with criminal abuse and wanton endangerment.
Tammy Simmons, 52, of Carrollton. Charged with criminal abuse and wanton endangerment.
Shelby Turocy, 28, of Ghent. Charged with criminal abuse, wanton endangerment, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

Police said everyone lived in that house, except for Simmons, who lived in a home across the street. Police said she had knowledge of the situation and didn’t report anything.

Police said one of the female suspects underscored the severity of the situation.

“...They said the child was rambunctious,” Roberts said. “There was one of them that even commented after we got the child out, cleaned him up and got him clothes and said ‘Can you see why that lock is on there now?’ to which I replied ‘No ma’am I sure don‘t.’”

Rebecca Freyler passed by the house littered with toys for children daily, outraged how one of the youngest in their community could have been living in such disgusting conditions.

“I’ve got a lot of grandbabies and children. I couldn’t imagine doing something like this to them. It just makes you wanna cry,” Freyler said.

The home sitting on 7th St. is now condemned due to what was found inside. There were also several dogs found at the house, in the front and back yards. Police said they were able to take some of those into custody. Two were left there on Monday, being taken care of by the county until they were able to get the dogs into a shelter.

Police are continuing to investigate, they said it’s possible there’s others who had knowledge of the situation.

All five suspects are expected to be in court Nov. 13 for a preliminary hearing, each of their bonds is set at $250,000.