Parents charged after kids found in ‘uninhabitable conditions’ in Hempfield home

Paul Peirce | Monday, December 30, 2019 5:38 p.m.

Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Department

Westmoreland County authorities took custody of four young children from this home on Dec. 26 because of the “uninhabitable conditions” they discovered while serving a warrant, according to sheriff’s deputies.

A Hempfield couple is accused of child endangerment and animal neglect by sheriff’s deputies who say they discovered the family living in “uninhabitable conditions” when they served a warrant at the home last week, according to court documents.

Cloyd A. and Melissa S. Zimmerman, both 38, of North Drive each were arraigned Monday before Jeannette District Judge Joseph DeMarchis on four counts of child endangerment and two counts of animal neglect filed by county sheriff’s department Sgt. Irvin Shipley. They turned themselves in to authorities Monday.

The condition of the North Hempfield home was so poor the Zimmermans’ four children, all younger than 6, were removed from the parents’ custody by Westmoreland County Children and Youth Services on Thursday when the warrant alleging criminal mischief was served on Melissa Zimmerman, Shipley stated in court documents. Animal control officers also took control of two dogs and cats that were inside the home.

“When Melissa answered the door after we knocked, deputies were so overwhelmed by the smell of urine and feces to the point we had to step back,” Shipley wrote.

The young children’s feet and legs appeared smeared because they were stepping in “puddles” of feces and urine throughout the inside of the house, Shipley said. A black sludge covered the living room floor, according to court documents.

“Some of the deputies had to leave the residence for fear of getting sick. As we entered the kitchen, I observed swarms of flying insects over rotten food and a puddle of urine, feces and food on the floor,” Shipley wrote.

Shipley said in court documents he ordered everyone out of the house “because I didn’t feel it was safe to occupy.”

Authorities took custody of the children after interviewing the parents and inspecting the home.

The Zimmermans could not be reached for comment. Attorneys for the couple were not listed in court documents.

Cloyd Zimmerman was released by DeMarchis on $25,000 unsecured bond and Melissa Zimmerman on $50,000 unsecured bond pending preliminary hearings scheduled for Jan. 9.