What started as a welfare check at a Glendale apartment turned into a child-abuse case that seasoned officers are calling one of the worst they have ever seen. Police arrested a couple after finding two young boys living in what authorities described as “caged” conditions inside a filthy unit on Thursday, Jan. 29. The boys, ages 4 and 6, were kept behind tall gates and surrounded by smeared feces, insects, and other hazards, investigators said.
Officers reported the children showed signs of developmental delays and had not received routine medical care or any formal schooling. Both parents were booked on child-abuse charges, and the Arizona Department of Child Safety took the boys into custody.
Welfare Check Uncovered Gated Bedroom and Unsanitary Conditions
According to court documents, officers forced their way into the apartment after a caller reported seeing a naked child in a window. Inside, they found a six-foot gate secured with zip ties stretched across the only bedroom, effectively trapping the boys in the room.
Investigators wrote that “every surface, including the ceiling and mattress, was covered in smeared feces” and noted flies and an insect infestation throughout the bedroom. Those details were laid out in affidavits reviewed by AZFamily.
Police say they also found multiple firearms in the unit. According to court papers, one handgun was tucked beneath a pillow where the children slept, and a loaded magazine was discovered nearby.
Parents' Statements and the Children's Needs
Officials say the boys’ mother told investigators the children were not potty-trained and that the family had essentially “given up” on trying to keep the space clean. The father told officers he works long hours and left the children in the bedroom, according to KTAR.
Officers described one child as nonverbal and the other as minimally verbal. Both boys were taken to a hospital for evaluation before being placed with the Department of Child Safety. Police also removed the family’s pet from the apartment, officials said.
Charges, Custody and Next Steps
The parents, identified in court paperwork as 41-year-old Arthur Jackson and 36-year-old Sara Jackson, were booked on two counts of child abuse and are being held on $25,000 bond each, ABC15 reports.
Prosecutors have not yet filed any additional charges. Detectives say the investigation is ongoing as they collect more evidence and look for potential witnesses. In the meantime, the Department of Child Safety will work to secure appropriate placements for the boys while the criminal case moves forward.
Police Reaction
At a police news conference, Glendale Police Department spokesperson Jose Santiago said the children had been “treated like animals” and urged anyone with information about the family or conditions inside the apartment to contact investigators, according to KTAR.
Sgt. Bryan Hoskin described the scene as one of severe neglect, noting significant developmental concerns for both boys, officials said. Investigators plan to present their full findings to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as the probe continues.
