GATESVILLE, TX — A Gatesville couple are being held for endangerment of a child by criminal negligence after police found their kids living in filth.
Joseph Brian King and Amanda Nicole King were arrested in Coryell County.
Police said an officer was dispatched to a disturbance in the 100 block of Austin St. on Dec. 19.
While talking to the subjects, the officer was informed that there were several children living at 115 Austin St. in filth and without running water.
The officer went to investigate and detected a foul odor of "filth, feces, smoke, and marijuana."
He noted the smell was "overpowering."
Police said he found three children aged 10, 9, and 6 lying on pallets in the living room.
He said it appeared that they had not bathed in several days and there were no lights in the room.
The officer noticed there were extension cords with exposed wiring running throughout the residence.
Police said Joseph and Amanda King denied living in the residence but there was evidence that they had lived there for some time.
The couple is being held at the Coryell County jail.
