Two Boys Had To Use Buckets For Bathroom, Hose To Shower And Hadn't Been To School In Months, Police Say In Neglect Case

A woman is accused of neglecting two minors as their home was covered in animal and human waste, Florida police said.

Last week, police arrested Bettina Miller, 66, on neglect charges, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.

Deputies were called to help a child services investigation about the alleged neglect. Deputies went to the home and Miller invited them inside, according to the sheriff’s office.

The home’s plumbing had been broken for several weeks, making the toilets unusable, according to the sheriff’s office. The victims had to use buckets for the bathroom and a water hose outside to shower, according to the sheriff’s office.

Both victims were boys who were under 16 years old.

Deputies saw spoiled foods and insects in the kitchen. There were also several barking dogs and puppies in the home.

The boys had also not attended school in months or seen a doctor in years, according to the sheriff’s office.

Miller was arrested, and the boys were taken to state custody until they could be placed with other family members, deputies said.