2-year-old found in basement filled with feces; mother arrested

A mother of four children–ages 2, 6, 8 and 12–has been arrested after police find her toddler locked in a basement filled with feces.

Police say they were dispatched to the 2100 block of Ammonette Drive on Sunday evening to check the welfare of children in the residence. When they arrived, they found an 8-year-old and a 6-year-old upstairs in the home and a 2-year-old locked in the basement. They say there were no adults home at the time; the 12-year-old child was not home, either.

Officers say they opened the locked basement door and the smell of feces and urine were so strong that it was difficult to breathe. They say the 2-year-old was naked, wrapped in a blanket soaked in his own urine.

According to police the 2-year-old was covered in feces, including his ears, nose and mouth. Feces were also smeared on the walls and children’s hand prints could be seen in the feces.

Police say the basement floor was covered in trash and feces, making it impossible to walk in the basement without stepping in either. There were also pieces of broken glass on the floor mixed in with the trash that posed a danger to the 2-year-old. Additionally, police say there were mattresses on the floor of the basement that had a significant amount of mold on them.

About two hours after police were dispatched, the children’s mother, Denecia Hatton, returned to her home just after midnight. She came home with a male subject, who told police he met Hatton at a local bar that night.

Officers say Hatton was visibly intoxicated and smelled of marijuana. They located marijuana and cocaine in her purse.

Hatton was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance misdemeanor, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.

In another shocking twist, ABC 17 News has learned a man believed to be Denecia Hatton’s husband is currently in prison for reportedly torturing her. He’s accused of tying her up, beating her and using a stun gun on her in August 2015. He also allegedly put a trash bag over her head until she couldn’t breathe.

If you believe a child is being abused, you can call the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-3738.