Butler County couple jailed after police find holes in walls and dead pets

Police described the living conditions at a Middletown home as deplorable and unlivable when they found holes in the walls large enough to see the outside. The discovery led to the arrest of Melanie and Christopher Todd, who are now held in Butler County Jail.

Officers initiated a welfare check on Sept. 29 after Middletown City Schools flagged concerns. Two of the couple's 10-year-old children appeared dirty to staff and stated they had no food to eat. The children also reported that two cats had died inside the residence.

During the inspection, law enforcement documented a house infested with bedbugs and cockroaches. Floors were covered in dirty clothes, trash, animal feces, and general debris. The home contained little to no edible food. One child told officers that the couple punched the walls during arguments, creating the visible holes in the structure.

Authorities removed all four children from the property and placed them with other family members. They also seized nine animals, including four cats, pet fish, mice, gerbils, and pet tarantulas. The criminal complaint lists four counts of child endangerment and several counts of animal cruelty against the couple.

Both Todd and Todd remain in custody. They are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday, Oct. 29, where they will enter pleas to the charges filed by prosecutors.