Authorities say a Chickasha-area couple is in custody after deputies found five children living in what they describe as squalid and unsafe conditions inside a rural home. Investigators reported piles of trash, moldy food and human waste throughout the residence, and say several of the children had matted hair and had not received prescribed medication. The arrests stem from a Grady County Sheriff's Office investigation that led to child neglect charges against Charles and Sandra Drew.
Deputies Describe A Deplorable Scene
When deputies arrived for a welfare check, they were hit with what they described as the smell of raw sewage coming from the property. Inside, they found a refrigerator full of moldy food, according to KOKH/OKCFOX. The outlet reports the bathroom was covered in toilet paper, feces and urine, and investigators said trash was piled through multiple rooms of the house. The Grady County Sheriff's Office characterized the overall conditions as deplorable and unsafe for the children who were living there.
Missed Medication And Blocked Mobility
Court documents reviewed by KOCO say prescription bottles for one child who needs seizure-control medication were still full, suggesting doses had not been given. The affidavit also notes that a child who uses a wheelchair could not move freely through the home because trash blocked access to several rooms. Deputies met with a Department of Human Services worker during the welfare check, and the juveniles were later transferred to the care of a family member.
Competing Charge Counts And Ongoing Custody
The Grady County Sheriff's Office says Charles and Sandra Drew were arrested, and KOKH/OKCFOX reports they were booked on five counts of child neglect. Court filings reviewed by KSWO present a different tally, stating each parent faces one count. Public records and agency statements sometimes do not line up in the early stages of a criminal case, and those numbers can shift as filings are updated. KSWO also reports the couple remain in custody on $25,000 bond and are due back in court on March 4.
How The Case Fits Oklahoma's Bigger Picture
Child-neglect cases have become a growing share of Oklahoma's child-welfare workload in recent years, with substantiated neglect reports climbing as more potential abuse and neglect is reported, according to an analysis by Oklahoma Watch. The outlet notes that expanded reporting has brought more families in need of services into view, even as it adds pressure on protective agencies and courts that are already stretched thin. The trend can be especially tough in rural counties, where cases often involve disabilities, medical needs or limited access to support services.
What Comes Next In The Chickasha Case
According to KOCO, the children were placed with a family member while the Grady County Sheriff's Office continues its investigation and court proceedings move ahead. The Drews are presumed innocent, and the neglect counts remain allegations that will be resolved in Grady County District Court. This story will be updated when officials release additional court records or when the sheriff's office issues a new public statement.
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