Parents Charged After Police Find Son Living in Deplorable Conditions

Middletown parents were charged on Tuesday after police found their 7-year-old son — wearing a soiled diaper — living in deplorable conditions. 

On Friday, Middletown Police were informed by a truancy officer about suspicious activity happening on Glynn Avenue.

The officer told Middletown police that he was responding to the residence to check on a 7-year-old boy who had not been attending the Wesley Elementary School, police said. 

The truancy officer said when he knocked on the door, it opened and he observed Arlene Poole, 41, lying on the floor wrapped in a blanket next to empty bottles of vodka. 

Middletown police said they asked Poole where her son was and proceeded up the stairs to find him. Responding officers said the main living area on the second floor was littered with trash, soiled diapers, dirty dishes and spoiled food "left everywhere."

At this time, Richard Poole emerged with another man and was asked to get his son. 

Richard Poole went to his bedroom and brought out his 7-year-old son who was wearing a full, soiled diaper, police said. Responding officers said the boy was "rail thin" with a bandage on his forehead and dark circles under his eyes. 

When Richard Poole was asked by police why his son had not been attending school, he said his son did not like the school he was attending, police said. Richard Poole also said his son had autism and would probably not talk to the officers. 

An ambulance was called for the boy, who was transported to Middlesex Hospital.

Upon futher investigation, police found even more empty liquor bottles in the parents' bedroom and small plastic baggies that once contained narcotics, police said.

The boy was place in the care of the Department of Children and Families. 

Both parents were arrested and charged with risk of injury to a minor. Each bond was set at $10,000 but were released on a non-surety bail with promise to appear.  They are expected to appear in court on Sept. 16. 

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