A couple is facing charges for alleged severe neglect of their children, with one law enforcement officer labeling it as “one of the most distressing cases I have ever handled.”
Amberly Britton and Mark Myers are accused of imprisoning their three children, depriving them of food, and compelling them to fend for themselves, among other troubling accusations. The children were reportedly so famished that they resorted to breaking cabinet locks to eat and endured physical punishment after getting sick from extreme hunger, among other claims.
The couple was arrested following a lengthy investigation triggered by one of their children attending school with a serious injury that went untreated. Upon visiting the family’s Missouri residence, authorities discovered hazardous and unhygienic conditions, such as excessive clutter, strong urine odors, lack of bedding, and heaps of dirty dishes and debris.
The kitchen cabinets and fridge were allegedly locked to prevent the children from accessing food, according to law enforcement sources. Britton and Myers justified the locks as a means to regulate the children’s diet.
Despite numerous visits, the adults were uncooperative and failed to address safety concerns, including suspicions of drug use in the home. The children recounted being confined to their room, forced to fend for themselves, and enduring physical abuse like beatings with belts and being restricted in their room.
The living conditions in the household were described as unsanitary and inhabitable, lacking basic necessities like heat, toys, or clothing for the children. Shockingly, the parents displayed no remorse and shifted blame onto the children when confronted with the allegations of abuse and neglect.
Detective Sgt. Brian Adelsberger labeled the case as one of the most severe instances he has encountered, emphasizing the neglect and psychological trauma inflicted on the children. Britton and Myers have been charged with drug trafficking and endangering the welfare of a child, with both held on a $250,000 cash-only bond.
