Unsafe house leads to criminal charges

LAFAYETTE, Ind (WLFI) - A house owned by a Tippecanoe County couple was declared unsafe earlier this year. Now, criminal charges of neglect of a dependent have been filed against 49-year-old Steven K. Mitchell and 47-year-old Michele Mitchell, the owners of the property.

On April 24 of this year, Child Protective Services was notified about a home at 4918 Sherman Street in Buck Creek where the Mitchells were living with their two children, aged 13 and 17.

The Affidavit of Probable Cause filed in the case states that the house was inspected on April 30 by Child Protective Services Investigator Rosa Banuelos. Banuelos found the home to be unsafe, and Child Protective Services required the family to immediately vacate the home.

The affidavit states that a sheriff's deputy also toured the house. In the affidavit, the deputy described the house as being in very poor condition with severe structural damage.

The affidavit also listed a number of other issues reported by the deputy, including:

• The front room of the house was filled with several inches of empty food wrappers, cans and clothing.
• The ceiling was caving in, in several spots, including a child's bedroom.
• Large areas of plaster were falling from a child's bedroom ceiling.
• Water was dripping from the ceiling.
• Gnats and massive cobwebs were present.
• Extreme odor was present, almost to the point of causing vomiting.
• A three-foot ramp of trash led to a child's bed.
• A discarded toilet was being used as a television stand.

The Tippecanoe County Building Commission and Health Department both declared the house unsafe for habitation. In July 2009, the county issued an Order to Comply and Notice to Appear at Demolition Hearing. The Mitchells were given additional time to repair the house. On Monday, October 19, the Mitchells asked for another extension. The extension was not granted and the county commissioners are proceeding with demolition plans.

Steven and Michele Mitchell are charged with two counts of Neglect of a Dependent.

Steven Mitchell works for the Lafayette Fire Department.