Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
ZEPHYRHILLS — A couple was arrested Tuesday after police reported finding a marijuana operation inside a filthy home occupied by four children.
Desirae Cheri Unroe, 29, and Chen-Kuang Dion Unroe, 34, of 5728 19th St., each face charges of cultivating marijuana and child neglect.
Zephyrhills police officers went to the house as part of a joint investigation with child protective services. When they arrived, they found an open sewer line emitting raw sewage onto the front lawn, a report stated.
When they entered the home, they smelled "dry marijuana," found no working lights or air conditioning and noticed roaches crawling on the walls, the report said. They also found hypodermic needles and other drug paraphernalia on the dresser. In the kitchen, police found several buckets with hoses, a transformer, metal lamps and a pile of "green leafy substance," the report said. They noted the stench of trash that littered the floor.
The officers said there was no food or clean dishes in the house. The bathroom toilet also did not work, and the bed sheets were soiled, the report said. The parents were not home at the time but were arrested when they arrived. Each was being held Wednesday in lieu of $15,000 bail. The children, whose names and ages were not released, were taken into protective custody.