Todd Couple Faces Charges After Middletown Welfare Check

Melanie and Christopher Todd are currently in Butler County Jail facing multiple charges after police pulled their four children from the family home on Cardinal Court in Middletown. The arrests followed a September welfare check that resulted in the removal of the kids and various pets from the residence.

Middletown City Schools contacted officers on Sept. 29 after two ten-year-old students reported appearing dirty and going without food. The children also told staff that two of their cats had died inside the house. Officers responded to the address to verify the reports and assess the living situation.

The criminal complaint describes the interior of the home as deplorable and unlivable. Investigators found holes in the walls and floors large enough to see the outdoors. One of the four children stated that the holes formed when the parents punched the surfaces during moments of anger.

Officers noted that the floors were covered with dirty clothes, trash, animal feces, and debris. The house contained little to no edible food and was infested with bedbugs and cockroaches. Police took the four children into protective custody and placed them with other family members.

Officers also removed four cats, pet fish, mice, gerbils, and pet tarantulas from the property. The couple now faces four counts of child endangerment and several counts of animal cruelty. Both defendants are scheduled to be arraigned this Thursday.