JANESVILLE, Wis. (WFRV) – Authorities in Wisconsin say four people are now in custody following an investigation into an incident where a young child was left unattended while wearing just a diaper.
According to a release from the Janesville Police Department, officers responded around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday after two separate calls came in from concerned citizens reporting that a child was left unattended wearing just a diaper in the 400 block of Center Avenue.
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Police arriving at the scene were able to find the child, who was later taken to a local medical facility by ambulance for an evaluation of their condition. While investigating, it was found that the child’s home showed signs of concerning living conditions, and it was discovered that additional children were also living inside the home.
Officials say they obtained and carried out a search warrant at the home, during which they found two adults, 34-year-old Lacy Lehmukuhl and 42-year-old Harrison Bond, hiding underneath a blanket behind a furnace in the basement.
Lehmkul was found to have outstanding warrants with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and the Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office, while Bond had an outstanding warrant through the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. Both were arrested and taken to the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
Courtesy of the Janesville Police Department
Courtesy of the Janesville Police Department
Courtesy of the Janesville Police Department
Courtesy of the Janesville Police Department
Various items of evidence were also said to have been found while executing the search warrant. 37-year-old Justin Paul was arrested on two counts of child neglect, and 40-year-old Catherine Waite was arrested on one count of child neglect. Both are currently in custody at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, awaiting their initial court appearances.
Following the search warrant, the Rock County Child Protective Services was informed of the situation, and the other children living in the home were safely released to a family member.
No additional information is available at this time, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
