In a troubling incident in Manchester, New Hampshire, two young children were found abandoned and showing signs of physical abuse, police said. An 18-year-old mother and a 21-year-old man are facing severe charges after allegedly leaving a 5-month-old and a 1-year-old alone in their apartment for over an hour, with the younger child suffering serious injuries. NBC Boston reports that city workers discovered the children during a walkthrough at around 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday.
The concerning scene unfolded at 345 Lake Ave, where the two children were found in a state of neglect, according to authorities. Manchester police told WHDH, the children weren't wearing clothes and had "visible bruises and marks." The apartment was described as being in "disarray" with hazards and substances that could cause harm scattered around, including cooking oils, and cleaning agents on the floor.
Megan Bancroft and Justice Forsythe, the young parents in question, were arrested and are facing charges of second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Bancroft was additionally charged with possession of a prescription drug, according to the police. After their arrival on the scene, the officers determined that the children had been left unattended for an extended period.
Both children were promptly taken to a local hospital for examination, where it was discovered that the injuries of the 5-month-old warranted urgent care at a Boston hospital, as reported by Boston 25 News. The apartment's hazardous environment, included an operational heat lamp with a cord dangling precariously and objects that posed potential risks to the young children.
The mother, Bancroft, is identified as the mother of both children, while Forsythe is confirmed to be the father of the infant. Their arraignment is pending, and further information on the case has not been provided at this time.
