Kids living in squalor in Preston County

MASONTOWN, W.Va. — Four children, ranging in ages from 14 months to 17 years-old, have been removed from a home in Preston County where they were living in squalor and now their parents are facing felony charges.

Joseph Franklin Smith, 48, and Anna Marie Riffle, 32, both of Masontown, have been arrested and charged with child neglect creating the substantial risk of death or injury, while Smith faces four counts. Smith is facing four counts and Riffle, who is seven months pregnant, is facing five counts,

Officers served a search warrant on Friday at a house on West Depot Way on suspicious of child neglect animal cruelty and illicit drugs. What police found was deplorable living conditions. The home smelled of urine and feces. Animal feces was reportedly scattered throughout the house. Moldy food and bacteria was found growing in the kitchen and the children’s clothes were dirty and they appeared to have not bathed in days. There were also hundreds of flies and gnats throughout the house.

The basement also served as a home to three dogs that were never let outside. Drug and alcohol paraphernalia was also discovered in the home.

Child Protective Services removed the children from the residence.

Bail was set at $50,000 for Riffle, $40,000 for Smith.