In a disturbing case out of Florida, law enforcement has apprehended a man and a woman following allegations of severe neglect towards a toddler and an elderly relative under their care. The two victims were reportedly found living in deplorable conditions within an apartment overwhelmed by a “vile and putrid odor” and infested with roaches, along with animal and insect feces.

Authorities have charged Nikolas Anthony Cummings, aged 32, and Tashaye Driaunah Brown, aged 31, each with one count of child cruelty without causing great bodily harm and neglect of an elderly or disabled adult resulting in great bodily harm. These charges are documented in court records.

The appalling discovery unfolded when the Flagler County Fire Rescue Unit conducted a welfare check on an elderly man at a residence located in the 100 block of Westmoreland Drive in Palm Coast. Upon entering, responders were struck by the extensive filth, noting the home was littered with garbage, cockroach droppings, and sticky surfaces, before they managed to locate the elderly resident.

The situation worsened as rescue personnel assisted the elderly man; insects were observed crawling from his mattress and clothing. The affidavit further reported that the mattress was heavily stained, suggesting it had been soiled multiple times, with stains spreading across almost its entire surface. The pillowcases were also noted to be severely discolored with brown and orange marks.

During their intervention, the rescue team discovered a child, appearing to be under the age of two, also residing in the compromised environment. This prompted them to seek the assistance of the sheriff’s office community policing division to ensure the child’s safety and further investigate the troubling circumstances.

Deputies arrived a short while later and were similarly exposed to the “strong pungent odor throughout the residence” where Brown and Cummings allegedly kept the man and toddler.

“After overcoming the odor within the residence deputies observed piles of debris, garbage, and scraps throughout the living room and eventually throughout the residence. After maneuvering the debris, deputies observed [a] 1-year-old sleeping within a Pack ‘n Play in the living room,” the affidavit says. “Roaches and bugs were observed crawling over [the 1-year-old] while he slept. [Brown] was then asked to display the necessary food items for the child. Brown escorted deputies into the kitchen and opened the fridge. I immediately observed mold growing throughout the fridge and on top of clearly expired food.”

The following day, detectives went to the home and found the baby still occupying the same crib and “several cockroaches were seen inside” with him. Investigators noted the way Brown apparently tried to address the roach issue.

“[S]he sprays Raid Roach Spray around the home,” the affidavit said. “More specifically, each night she 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.”

In addition to noting the “hazardous ingredients” from the Raid, detectives said they “repeatedly removed insects” from the child’s enclosure. They concluded that “insects endlessly continued to emerge from the fabric of the enclosure.”

Investigators said there were black spots throughout the house that appeared to be roach droppings, mold, or a combination of the two.

When detectives reached the 81-year-old’s room, they found the “overpowering stench” of urine coming from inside. The man was alert and oriented but unable to make it to the portable toilet just a few feet away. He explained to police that he had not been able to change his clothes in about a week.

“While on scene with [the victim], insects were seen emerging from his socks and scabs on his legs,” the affidavit says.

Brown and Cummings were arrested and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where they were being held on a $15,000 bond as of Friday.

“The deplorable conditions of that house were no place for a toddler or a senior with serious medical issues,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “These two feigned ignorance over the trash, feces and insects covering the floors, walls and victims inside the home. This was not a matter of money, they did not care about the hygiene of their home, the welfare of their child, or the medical needs of their family members. They put in zero effort. We will make sure their cells are clean at the Green Roof Inn.”

Brown and Cummings are currently scheduled to appear in court for their arraignment on Feb. 4, court records show.