Mindy Michelle Mooney, 36, stands accused of three counts of child abuse and neglect, according to the Macon County Sheriff's Office.
On Oct. 9, a Macon County detective arrived at the Mooney residence in response to a request by a Macon County deputy and an investigator with the Tennessee Department of Children's Services after the child welfare agency had requested law enforcement assistance with a suspected child abuse and neglect case, according to an affidavit of complaint obtained by the Macon County Chronicle.
Children inside quickly gave the detective statements about the dire state of affairs, authorities say. The children allegedly said trash and animal feces littered the residence — all over the floors, on the furniture, and even in their bedding, according to law enforcement.
The detective himself lent credence to those claims, describing trash covering the entire floor inside as well as the strong scent of animal feces said to be emanating from the Mooney abode.
The alleged victims went on to describe a life where they frequently had no food to eat, the sheriff's office claims. Indeed, investigators noted that all of the food in the refrigerator and cabinets was molded over or otherwise ruined, according to the complaint affidavit.
Read more hereBut the allegedly filthy and neglectful conditions in the house were not the only issues, according to Detective Robert Jacoby.
The children also told the detective they were physically threatened by their parents, according to the sheriff's office.
One victim is said to have recalled an instance when their mother advised their stepfather on the proper way to beat the children. The child said Mooney told her husband that, when he hits the children, to "make sure he hits them in the throat," according to the affidavit.
'In the throat': Mom allegedly advised stepfather how to beat children
The children said trash and animal feces littered the residence – all over the floors, on the furniture, and even in their bedding, according to law enforcement.
