BEREA, Ky. (LEX 18) — A couple accused of locking children away in a filthy home made their first appearance in court Monday morning.
It began with a visit to George and Samantha Hill's home in Berea in September. A deputy says that the smell in the trailer nearly caused him to vomit and that they had malnourished dogs outside.
They later determined that the two allegedly locked five children in a bedroom for extended stretches with limited food and water and no restroom breaks.
The Madison County Sheriff's Office said the children are now out of harm's way.
"They have been placed somewhere safe and are doing well as far as I know at this time," said Deputy Michael Stotts. "Tough job, what we do investigating these things. We see many bad things and of course, anything involving a child is terrible."
The Hills were charged and pleaded not guilty to five counts of both criminal abuse and unlawful imprisonment. They're set to return to court next week.
