St. Charles, Missouri- A couple are in custody after authorities uncovered what they are calling one of the worst cases of child abuse they have ever seen.
Mark Myers and Amberly Britton are facing serious charges after an investigation led authorities to enter their home, where they uncovered evidence of systematic and appalling abuse.
Authorities began to investigate the couple when one of their three children arrived at school with what was described as a "significant" gash, or cut.
When officials attempted to contact the child's parents, they were met with silence. This would ultimately lead to a months-long investigation that would lead authorities to the door of the couples trailer. As they searched the home, they would uncover overwhelming evidence of child neglect and abuse.
According to authorities, upon entering the home, it was immediately clear that the living situation was not only unsanitary but outright dangerous to the children forced to live there.
Police would find a large quantity of methamphetamine inside of the home. As investigators continued to search the home, they were met by an overwhelming smell of urine. The house itself was described as a complete wreck with clutter everywhere.
Investigators reported there were locks on all of the cabinets and the refrigerator. While questioning the children, they learned these locks were in place to deny the children access to food.
In fact, a 13-year-old child would tell investigators that they would regularly experience pain and vomiting due to being so hungry. When the children did get sick from hunger, they would be assaulted and locked inside of their rooms.
All three children told authorities they were warned to never tell anyone what happened in the home.
Police would discover the bedrooms the children were forced into- had locks in place that required fingerprints to access.
When Amberly and Mark were questioned, they blamed the children; telling authorities "the children were liars".
Amberly Britton and Mark Myers are being charged with second-degree trafficking drugs and three counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. They are both being held on $250,000 bonds.
The children have been removed from the home.
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