What neighbors first noticed as a foul smell turned into the rescue of two children living in extremely poor conditions.
Authorities in Temple, Texas, say officers responded to a home on May 20 after receiving complaints about a strong odor coming from the property. According to reports, one officer described the smell as similar to death, and noted flies gathering around the windows.
When no one answered the door, officers entered the residence.
Inside, they found 68-year-old John Robbins and 34-year-old Michael Robbins, along with conditions investigators described as severe neglect.
Court documents state the home was filled with rotting garbage covering floors and surfaces, along with animal waste, maggots, and other signs of long-term unsanitary conditions.
In the bathroom, officers discovered two children, ages 8 and 10, sitting in a bathtub filled with dirty water.
According to the affidavit, the children had matted hair containing bugs, wore dirty clothing stained with food, and had a strong odor of urine, feces, and stagnant water. One child was also reported to have severely decayed teeth.
Investigators say the children told officers they had never attended school and were unable to read or write.
They also reported not being regularly fed and said they had to take care of each other.
The case remains under investigation as authorities determine the full extent of what occurred inside the home.
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