Kimberly McClendon
East Ridge Police arrested Kimberly McClendon, 26, on four counts of child neglect on Thursday.
Police became involved in the incident at the request of Child Protective Services. Ms. McClendon is being held on a total bond of $27,500 and is scheduled to appear in East Ridge Court on Tuesday.
Police said that on Thursday, Child Protective Services (caseworker, Tabitha Willingham) went to the East Ridge Police headquarters and requested police standby during an environmental neglect investigation at 4002 Bennett Road.
Police responded to 4002 Bennett Road with CPS, made contact with the residents at that address and identified Ms. McClendon as the biological mother of the four children living there.
An officer's report said, "The ages of the four children were one, three, four and nine. Police did make entry into this residence with CPS and observed a multitude of roaches, ants, and other unidentified insects crawling on the floor and walls and through the children's toys in the living room where Ms. McClendon advised that the three older children sleep at night.
"Police did not observe any bedding in this room other than one couch. Police also observed unsecured electrical outlets and very little ventilation in this room. Police then made entry into the kitchen where police observed very soft flooring and a multitude of roaches and ants crawling through food and dirty dishes with dried up food that appeared to be days old lying on the counters and sink that were also covered with roaches and ants.
"Ms. McClendon advised that there was no central heating or air in the residence, but there were two air conditioning units in the residence. However, in the living area where the children sleep, there was very little ventilation provided only by a ceiling fan and another fan that was propping an open window up despite it being approximately 91 degrees on this date.
"Police also observed a multitude of trash including sharp aluminum beer cans, loose wiring, and an abundance of trash that the children repeatedly stepped in while playing in the front yard around their swing set. The abundance of this trash was such that police had to walk through mud puddles and furniture to avoid stepping on the other sharps cans and other trash. An extension cord and other wiring was also being ran from the neighbor's house through the swing set area in the yard and up to the residence at 4002 Bennett Road where the residents are 'sharing' power.
"Police were able to make contact with all four children. All children, despite running around in the yard covered in trash and sharp cans, were barefoot and dirty. Ms. McClendon advised CPS that she was a stay at home mother, but did make daily trips to a methadone clinic.
Ms. McClendon consented to a drug test at the request of CPS and tested positive on site for methamphetamine, methadone, amphetamine, and benzodiazepines. Police also noted multiple "pick" marks on Ms. McClendon's skin that are a common sign of methamphetamine use.
According to police, CPS implemented an immediate protection agreement prohibiting Ms. McClendon from being around her children until further notice and the children were left with their father, but were forced to leave the residence due to the conditions.
Codes Enforcement was also on scene and advised police that the conditions in the residence were uninhabitable and the residence would most likely be condemned on Friday.
Based on the aforementioned facts, Ms. McClendon was arrested, transported to the East Ridge Police headquarters, and then to the Hamilton County Jail.
There is no further information available at this time.