3 children, including newborn rescued from ‘house of horrors,’ authorities say

INTERLACHEN, Fla. (WCJB/Gray News) - Authorities have rescued three children from what they have called a “house of horrors” in Florida.

Detectives responded to a home after a Department of Children and Families caseworker found that Jodie Cannon’s 6-week-old child was severely underweight and had a case of diaper rash.

Deputies executed a search warrant on the home and described the inside as “deplorable living conditions.” They said the home had an unsafe ceiling repair, black mold, rotting floors and animal feces throughout.

Authorities said a mattress on the floor where one of the children slept was swarming with flies. There was also uneaten food on dishes with flies and cockroaches.

Cannon was arrested and charged with two felony counts of child neglect.

Melissa and John Keal, Cannon’s parents, as well as Jordan Wilson, the children’s father, were charged with neglect because they lived in the home with the children and also failed to provide for the children.

“Words cannot describe the house of horrors these children were living in,” Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach said.

Four dogs and three kittens were voluntarily surrendered to Putnam County Animal Services.

When the baby was finally admitted to the hospital, the baby had a low heart rate, low temperature and low weight. The infant fell below the fifth percentile.

Deputies say the baby is now gaining weight and “thriving.”