Parents charged after 4 children, animals found living in deplorable conditions, deputies say

HEMPFIELD, Pa. — Westmoreland County Sheriff’s deputies said four children, all under the age of 6, as well as dogs and cats, were found living in sickening conditions at a home in Hempfield.

Their parents, Cloyd and Melissa Zimmerman, turned themselves in on Monday. Each of them is charged with child endangerment and animal neglect.

Deputies first went to the home Thursday with a search warrant, and what they found they described as unimaginable.

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It’s all spelled out in the court documents, which reveal:

"The children were covered in urine and feces to the point that their clothes were stained black, their hands and feet were covered in a black sludge that was covering the living room floor."

“Some of the deputies had to leave the residence for fear of getting sick. As we entered the kitchen, I observed swarms of flying insects over rotten food and a puddle of urine, feces and food on the floor."

The children are now in the care of child and youth services. The dogs and cats were taken by animal control.

The Zimmermans are out on bond and will have a preliminary hearing on Jan. 9.

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