Scioto County couple charged with endangering children, felonious assault
Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman announced that his office was contacted by the Scioto County Children Services on Wednesday, Sept. 4, reporting that they had received an anonymous call asking for a welfare check on children living on Riddlebarger Road.
Detective Sgt. Jodi Conkel and Detective John Cart, along with a Children Services Investigator, responded to the residence on Riddlebarger Road, Portsmouth.
Sheriff Thoroughman stated detectives observed four children ranging from age 1 to age 7 living inside the residence. All of the children were allegedly found to be filthy, and they allegedly had multiple injuries to their bodies.
The house was allegedly in deplorable conditions, filled with trash and infested with bugs. The children were taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center for treatment of their injuries.
The two adults were transported to the Sheriff’s Office for further investigation, which resulted in the couple’s arrest.
Arrested were David L. Shepherd, 27, and Amanda C. Shepherd, 29, both of Portsmouth. Both have been charged with three counts of endangering children, a felony of the second degree; four counts of endangering children, a felony of the third degree; and three counts of felonious assault, a felony of the second degree.
They are currently being held in the Scioto County Jail on a $410,000. bond and appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Sheriff Thoroughman stated that this is still an ongoing investigation that may result in more charges being presented to the Scioto County grand jury on a later date.
Sheriff Thoroughman would like to thank Prosecutor Shane Tieman and his Special Victims Unit for their assistance with this case.
Anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091.
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