Dad with summer visitation charged with neglecting 6-year-old twins (Sheboygan, Wisconsin)

Dad JOHN R. SCHMITT had summer visitation rights with his 6-year-old twins, who normally live out of state with their mother. An aunt came by the home and found that the house was filthy with rotten food and garbage. Investigators found flies and gnats everywhere and no electricity. Dad has been charged with child neglect.

http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20090812/SHE0101/908120459/1973/SHE0201

House a mess, father charged with neglecting 6-year-old twins
Sheboygan Press staff • August 12, 2009

A 49-year-old Sheboygan man was charged Tuesday with child neglect after police found rotten food and garbage throughout the home he shared with his 6-year-old twins, according to a criminal complaint.

John R. Schmitt, of 1124-C Erie Ave., could face up to nine months in jail if convicted on the misdemeanor count.

According to the complaint:

The twins' aunt reported the suspected neglect to police, who responded to Schmitt's home Sunday. The aunt said the children usually lived with their mother in Milwaukee but were spending the summer with Schmitt.

Officers found rotten food throughout the house, causing a strong odor. Clutter and garbage covered the stove, kitchen table, counters and sink, and there were flies and gnats throughout the house.

Schmitt told police the home had no electricity but he ran an extension cord from a neighbor's house with permission to power a fan and watch TV. The refrigerator was not plugged in and contained rotting food.

A Sheboygan County Department of Health and Human Services employee said in the complaint the children would be placed elsewhere.