Jefferson City couple charged with abuse or neglect after children allegedly found on roof

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City couple is facing multiple charges of abuse or neglect of a child after police receive reports of naked children on the roof of the house on the 1900 block of A Saratoga Blvd.

A Cole County prosecutor has charged Curtin Burton and Michaela Cook-Burton with four counts of abuse or neglect of a child.

On July 7, police responded to a wellness check at the resident and after knocking on the door saw naked children climbing around the front window, according to a probable cause statement.

When Burton opened the door, police say they could smell decay and animal urine and saw three naked children ages 3, 4 and 5 running around. One child reportedly had feces down her leg, according to court documents.

According to police, they saw trash throughout the house, mold growing on walls and food and waste throughout the house.

Police spoke with Family Services and Investigator Michael Hazen said this had happened before in February 2020.

Neither Cook-Burton nor Burton have a defense attorney listed according to online court documents.

Both will be arraigned on August 23.