Insets (clockwise from top left): Christine Carter, Johnna Carter, Richard Carter, Sarah Carter, Ishmeal Thornsberry, Green Schindler, Mark Brumbaugh, and Matthew Brumbaugh (Richmond Police Department). Background: Norwood Dr. in Richmond, Ky. (Google Maps).
Eight adults in Kentucky have been charged after police said they allegedly abused seven children in their home.
The Richmond Police Department said in a press release that eight people — 41-year-old Christine Carter, 21-year-old Johnna Carter, 45-year-old Richard Carter, 28-year-old Sarah Carter, 21-year-old Ishmeal Thornsberry, 63-year-old Green Schindler, 30-year-old Mark Brumbaugh, and 30-year-old Matthew Brumbaugh — were arrested on Friday in connection with an investigation into the alleged abuse of seven children, ages 1 to 17.
According to court documents obtained by local Fox affiliate WDKY, the seven children were removed from a home in Richmond, Kentucky, where the living conditions were described as "very filthy and deplorable."
Police said the seven children and eight adults lived in a home where feces and urine were allegedly smeared on the floor, stairs and various other surfaces throughout the home. In addition to the 15 people, police said there were also 10 dogs and one cat inside the house.
The relationships between the suspects and the children were not made available to the public. All eight suspects are currently in custody at the Madison County Detention Center. Their arraignment was scheduled for Monday.
According to the Richmond Police Department, all seven of the children were placed with Social Services. The department said the investigation involved Child Protective Services (CPS) and the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS).
The suspects were charged as follows:
- Christine Carter, charged with first-degree criminal abuse or neglect of a child under 13 and first-degree criminal abuse.
- Johnna Carter, charged with first-degree criminal abuse or neglect of a child under 13 and first-degree criminal abuse.
- Richard Carter, charged with first-degree criminal abuse or neglect of a child under 13, first-degree criminal abuse, first-degree rape and human trafficking.
- Sarah Carter, charged with first-degree criminal abuse or neglect of a child under 13, first-degree criminal abuse, distribution of obscene matter and incest.
- Matthew Brumbaugh, charged with incest.
- Mark Brumbaugh, charged with incest, first-degree criminal abuse or neglect of a child under 13, first-degree criminal abuse and third-degree sexual abuse.
- Green Schindler, charged with first-degree criminal abuse or neglect of a child under 13, first-degree criminal abuse, incest, human trafficking, first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy.
- Ishmeal Thornsberry, charged with first-degree criminal abuse.
Police said additional charges may follow.