Two parents from Philadelphia are under scrutiny after being accused of child endangerment and conspiracy, with officials uncovering extremely unsafe and appalling conditions in their home.
Megan Bach, aged 44, and her husband, Thomas Bach, 43, are each facing two charges of endangering the welfare of a child and recklessly endangering another person. They are also charged with possession of an instrument of crime, possession of an offensive weapon, and criminal conspiracy, as stated in a report issued by the Philadelphia Police Department.
The arrests were made on July 7 when FBI agents were engaged in legally sanctioned operations at a house located in the Tacony area of the city, authorities confirmed.
According to the police report, agents were initially in contact with Megan inside the property. Upon entering, they found the living environment to be so hazardous due to its shocking state that it was deemed unfit and unsafe.
Police reported that Megan was detained at the scene, and Thomas was arrested shortly after his return to the residence.
Meanwhile, a 5-year-old child and an 8-month-old infant were “removed from the residence and transported to a local hospital for evaluation,” per the news release.
Megan and Thomas are the children’s parents, Philadelphia’s ABC 6 and NBC 10 reported. According to a criminal complaint obtained by the latter outlet, the children did not have a bed, bathtub or shower. Trash, urine and fecal matter were allegedly found inside the home, as well as brass knuckles and two firearms.
The Pennsylvania SPCA’s Animal Law Enforcement Team also responded to the scene that day and removed 38 cats and one dog from the home, a spokesperson confirmed to Oxygen. They’ve since returned to the property, where they rescued 10 more cats, bringing the number of felines removed to four dozen.
All animals were transported to PSCPA headquarters for forensic examinations and medical care, the organization said.
The investigation into the situation remains ongoing, the Philadelphia Police Department noted in their news release.
Megan and Thomas each had a preliminary arraignment on July 8 and are scheduled for their preliminary hearing on July 20, court records reviewed by Oxygen show.