A couple arrested and charged with child abuse told WSOC-TV Tuesday their children were never in danger, but officials said the children were living in an unsafe home with their dead grandfather inside.
Melissa Poole and Jeremy Dishner were both charged with five counts of misdemeanor child abuse after deputies responded to the home.
Investigators said a 62-year-old grandfather may have been dead for more than 24 hours before anyone called for help. They said they found raw sewage under the home and spoiled food inside.
On Tuesday afternoon, WSOC-TV got a copy of the magistrate’s order, which says debris was piled up on the floors throughout the house.
Sheriff deputies told WSOC-TV they found uneaten food on the bed of the deceased, the 62-year-old father of Poole grandfather of some of the children. Deputies believe the children were the ones who carried it into the room and left it there, and the parents apparently did not even realize the man had died.
"As far as eating, one of the parents or other adults had directed the children to take food in there to him,” said Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Andy Poteat. “So neither adult had checked on him up until the time they had contacted us and realized what was going on."
Poole and Dishner spoke with WSOC-TV on Tuesday night, saying they hope to set the record straight after their arrest. “Even a social worker said we did not abuse our kids,” Poole said. “That’s why they didn’t take our kids.”
Poole said her children often took food into her father’s room, but she would never have them do that if she knew her father had died. Poole said she and Dishner called police as soon as they found her father dead.
As for reports investigators found raw sewage under the home, spoiled food inside and debris piled on the floor, Poole said her children had been sick.
“My kids had been sick with the flu, rotavirus,” she said. “It’s been happening for a month. There were things that haven’t been taken care of. I feel like I’m getting accused of being a bad mom for worrying about my kids rather than my house.”
Deputies said they contacted the Department of Social Services and the Health Department about their concerns.
"If there was reason for me not to have my kids, I wouldn't have my kids right now. If there was reason for the social services to be concerned, I would've had a report on me before this,” Poole said.
WSOC-TV spoke with Dishner by phone about the case. He also denied much of what investigators said.
"No, they were not taking meals into his room. Everybody in the house had the flu virus and the rotavirus at the time, which is why things had gotten backed up,” Dishner said. Outside the home Tuesday was a sign posted on the door saying the home was unsafe to live in.
The grandmother of some of the children wants people to know her daughter is a good mother.
"Yes, she has problems like everybody else, but she loves her children with all her heart,” said Melissa Hastings.
The couple is scheduled to go before a judge next month.
About the Author
