Authorities in Florida recently detained a couple after discovering their 1-year-old son living in deplorable conditions.

On January 13, Flagler Fire Rescue responded to a call regarding Tashaye Brown’s elderly uncle, who had fallen. Upon arriving, a lieutenant observed that the residence was infested with insects and filled with the stench of cat urine and feces, as reported by Flagler Live.

The lieutenant soon found Brown and Nikolas Cummings’ young son, reportedly sleeping amidst trash in the living room. According to Flagler Live, roaches were seen crawling over the boy, and emergency workers removed insects from his hair.

The Flagler County police highlighted the scarcity of food for the child. Although Brown had recently purchased some fruit for him, officers noted that the refrigerator was covered in mold.

Authorities were also unable to confirm if Brown’s elderly uncle was receiving his essential medications or being adequately nourished. They mentioned that the elderly man’s 38-year-old son, who also resided in the household, exhibited behavior suggesting a possible undiagnosed mental or behavioral health issue.

“I realize this is Florida, we have bugs, but not to this extent,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly told WESH.

According to an affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, Brown told police how “she sprays Raid Roach Spray around the home [and] flips [the 1-year-old’s] portable enclosure upside down to shake the insects out. Then [Brown] places [the 1-year-old] back inside and sprays a ‘protective’ tight circle of Raid Roach Spray around the immediate base of the enclosure.”

Brown and Cummings are charged with child and elderly neglect. WESH reported that the couple’s son was placed with Brown’s sister, while Brown’s uncle was hospitalized. His condition was not disclosed.

“”Hopefully, DCF will get this family on the right track,” Staly commented. “Give them the tools so they can be proper parents and help this elderly man also.”

[Feature Photo: Flagler County Sheriff’s Office]