A Cleveland couple is facing felony child endangering charges after allegedly leaving their five small children alone in a home crawling with insects.
According to court records, 24-year-old Desiree Howard and 42-year-old Joseph left their four children in the care of their 10-year-old daughter over the course of two days back in July at their West 85th Street home.
When authorities arrived at the residence there wasn’t any edible food at the home, records show. Neighbors said the children are commonly only fed a single meal a day.
The court documents state neighbors said they had to provide medical care for the children in the past due to lice and bed bugs.
Both Puma and Howard are being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail.
Puma is scheduled for an arraignment on Sept. 1. Howard is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 13.
