Florida police arrest 2 after hungry kids found covered in filth, trying to eat grass

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Two people were arrested over the weekend after Florida police said they found two children covered in filth while wandering a Palm Bay neighborhood.

Investigators said Corey Rickards left her two children with Joanne Hall at a home officials described as a "house of filth."

According to an arrest report, Palm Bay police were called to the home Saturday after receiving a call from neighbors about children running around the neighborhood.

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One officer who responded to the scene said the children were so hungry that they were attempting to eat grass and sticks.

Police said one of the children had a soiled diaper that hung to her knees.

When an officer asked Hall to change the child's diaper, she refused, according to police.

Related: Florida mother charged with felony child abuse after children found living in roach-infested home

When investigators looked inside the residence, they said the home was filled with garbage, dirty clothing and large amounts of soiled food crumbs that covered the floor.

A Florida Department of Children and Families investigator said the home was so cluttered, it was impossible to walk inside and not step in filth.

Hall was released from jail after posting bond.

Rickards remains behind bars on a $10,000 bond.

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