‘Deplorable, unacceptable and filthy’: Muncie man arrested after 5-year-old found living in home filled with feces, bugs and flies

MUNCIE, Ind. — Flies. Bugs. An unmistakable, potent odor of feces and urine. Smells so foul that it made an officer’s eyes water.

These are the conditions a Muncie police officer allegedly encountered while investigating a reported instance of child neglect on Sept. 25.

The investigation began when an officer was dispatched to a residence located in the 1600 block of E. Androver Avenue. Court documents show that a social worker had requested assistance from Muncie police after establishing contact with a 78-year-old female who needed to be transported to Ball Memorial Hospital for a medical condition.

Other emergency personnel on the scene advised the officer that the woman had lice and bugs “all over her person” and expressed concerns with the living conditions inside the home.

The officer then made contact with the leaseholder for the residence. As they continued speaking, the officer learned that a 5-year-old was also residing at the home in question. Court documents show that first responders with the Muncie Fire Department advised the officer that he would require a hazmat suit and gas mask to enter the house to stay safe from “bugs, flies, smells and other issues.”

The leaseholder informed the officer that he had told the child’s father, who was identified as 25-year-old Daniel Good, that he needed to clean the home. He claimed that Good refused to do so.

As the officer stepped into the home, he reported noticing an odor that was “so bad it made my eyes water.” The officer was also met with the odor of feces and urine as he observed bugs “scurry through the door.” These were later determined to be cock roaches and bed bugs, court documents said.

As they continued sifting through the home, they reported observing trash, food and clothing scattered around. Multiple dogs were also living inside the residence as the kitchen had bugs, flies and dirt “all over.” As the officer turned his attention to the bathroom, court documents reveal that it had “fecal matter” all over the toilet and appeared not to have been cleaned for a long time.

The officer also noted issues with the home’s foundation due to cracks, overgrown trees and grass. Windows inside the home were also reported to be broken or not to function properly.

The walkthrough left the officer “appalled” while concluding that the conditions were “deplorable and unlivable.” A worker with the Indiana Department of Child Services also responded to the home and agreed that a child should not be living in those conditions.

Around the same time, Good arrived with his 5-year-old daughter. The officer and DCS worker observed that the child’s shirt did not fit her properly and that her shoes were “numerous sizes too big.” They also observed dirt and bug bite marks on her arms, court documents said.

Good was then placed under arrest and transported to the Delaware County Jail, where he was preliminarily charged with neglect of a dependent, which is a level 6 felony.