Florida Children Rescued from 'House of Horrors'

Florida authorities have rescued four children from a home in Florahome, described as a ‘house of horrors,’ where they were found sleeping on flea-ridden mattresses and living in urine-soaked conditions. The investigation began when officials from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office visited the address after a caseworker from the Department of Children and Families requested their assistance due to concerns about a baby with severe diaper rash and weight loss.

Medics determined that the baby’s vital signs were so weak that the child could have died if authorities had not intervened. The baby, along with two other children, was removed from the home and placed into DCF care. A second search warrant was obtained on July 28, allowing authorities to investigate the home further and remove the fourth child.

According to Putnam County Sheriff Homer DeLoach III, the conditions in the home were hazardous, with animal feces and urine everywhere, black mold, and flies. He expressed his concern for the children, stating that they had grown accustomed to these conditions and did not know any better. DeLoach praised those who ‘stepped up to show these young children what a safe home, family, and love should look like.’

Four people have been charged in connection with the investigation: Jodie Danielle Cannon, who faces charges of aggravated child neglect with great bodily harm and child neglect, and Melissa and John Keal, and Jordon Wilson, who have all been charged with child neglect.

The children are currently receiving care, and the baby is reportedly ‘thriving, happy, and gaining weight.’ Four dogs and three kittens were also removed from the home and have been handed over to animal services, where they will be assessed for possible adoption.