Kids found in moldy, feces-filled home

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Two children were removed from their home after police found live chickens, animal feces, mold and a propane tank connected to a hot plate inside their home in West Haven.

Police were called to the home of Tanya Domerest, 31, and 55-year-old Wayne Farquharson at 2 Westfield Street after receiving reports of several property and health code violations.

Community Resource Officers along with Officials from the Building Department, Fire Department, Animal Control, Health Inspectors, and Department of Children and Families were all called in to inspect the house.

Outside the house, officials found stripped boats, tires, propane tanks, unregistered vehicles, and piles of scrap metal.

Once inside, they found animal feces, mold, and live chickens living inside the house.

Officials also say a propane tank connected to a hot plate was inside and several exits of the home were blocked.

"I just see the mess in the house, but I don't know who lives there," said Gustavo Carrillo, "and I see a lot of animals there too, but no person there."

Carrillo says he's been watching the junk pile up for about five years, but the people living there kept to themselves and there wasn't much they could do.

Another neighbor who wished to remain anonymous says they're all frustrated.

"They weren't cleaning the yard, like a year or two ago, they had like 15 dogs back there, half of the dogs were dead and they just kept them back there all dead," the neighbor said. "They would have the kids running around like half-naked and everything, and they just didn't even care."

The city has now stepped in citing multiple property and housing code violations.

Two rifles and a shotgun were seized by police.

The house was deemed uninhabitable by the Building Department.

"So I'm happy that the city did its job, nice," said Carrillo.

Officers say they found evidence of child neglect violations including piles of dirty laundry, piles of dirty dishes, and old food scattered around the home.

Domerest and Farquharson were arrested and charged with risk of injury to a child and abatement of a fire hazard.

The two children were temporary relocated to a family member.

Two cats and two chickens were seized by animal control.

The Department of Children and Families is investigating.