Malnourished children found living in Texas dog kennels

Texas Police have discovered a disturbing case of child abuse in Wise County this week after two malnourished children were found locked in dog cages inside a barn off of county road 4930 near Rhome, Texas.

Police responding to a domestic violence call around 7 am Tuesday morning arrived to discover a man with cuts to his face when they heard the sound of children coming from the barn. KWTX shared the story along with KVOA.

Sheriff Lane Akin told WFAA in Dallas that inside the barn police found two children locked in a dog kennel. The kids appeared to be malnourished. Police found two other children who were partially clothed and had been smeared with urine and feces. The dog kennel holding the children measured 3 feet by 3 feet.
The four children found ranged from ages 1 to 5 years old. The kids were taken to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth for evaluation. Police explained to the media it turns out the parents of the children had been fighting the man who had the cuts on his face.

KWTX reports Wise County jail documents show Andrew Joseph Fabila and Paige Harkings each have been charged with four counts of criminal child endangerment. Harkings is also charged with one count of aggravated assault.

Police say there was plenty of food in the house but that it was locked up so that the kids could not get to it. Police continue to investigate this case. Thankfully, the children appear to be ok.

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