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Brazil couple faces child neglect charges
A Brazil pair faces felony child neglect charges after police say their five children were found living in "deplorable conditions" and were subjected to at least one act of violence.
Jennifer L. Proctor, 30, and Michael S. Hunter, 37, each face a single count of child neglect. They were arrested at the family home at North Charles B. Hall in Brazil.
The Indiana State Police reports that on Nov. 12, the department was contacted by faculty at East Side Elementary School in Brazil about the possible neglect.
"As the investigation progressed, information was developed alleging that on the evening of Nov. 7, the children's mother (Proctor) destroyed some of the children's clothing and each of their school backpacks, then ordered her five children into the living room of the family home and forced them to watch as she cut her throat area with a rotary style craft utensil," the ISP reports.
Proctor was transported to Terre Haute Regional Hospital for treatment of minor abrasion injuries.
The ISP reports that a subsequent search warrant found the family home to be in "deplorable condition with animal feces on the floor and clothing and very little food for the children."
Clay County Department of Child Services has been working with ISP throughout, and the children are currently with grandparents. Hunter and Proctor are the biological parents of the children and have been in a "long-term relationship," the ISP reports.
The case was investigated by ISP Detective Sam Stearley. Assisting were ISP Trooper Kyle Hall, the Clay County Prosecutor's Office, Clay County DCS and Susie's Place of Bloomington,.
The bond for both Proctor and Hunter was set at $7,000 with 10 percent allowed.