Ga. Couple Accused of Abandoning Their Children – 2, 4, and 5 – at a Campsite for Days Without Food

A Georgia couple was arrested last month after authorities discovered their three young children at a campsite, allegedly abandoned, hungry and covered from head to toe in dirt and feces.

Police in Carroll County, Ga., allege that Jason and Kira Askea left their children unsupervised at a local campsite in Little Tallapoosa Park as a neighboring camper told investigators the children said they were without food for several days before their parents returned, according to reports from local Fox 5, WKRC and WSB-TV.

Carroll County Jail records reviewed by PEOPLE show Jason, 46, and Kira, 41, have been in custody for more than a month without bail since being arrested on Sept. 16. Both have been charged with one count of first-degree cruelty to children, records show.

Citing court documents, Fox 5 reported that the children — aged 2, 4, and 5 — were discovered alone in a tent by police after a concerned camper set up nearby the family had noticed the children seemed to be left there unsupervised. The camper told police that one of the children said they hadn’t had food in two days, and that the children appeared to be covered in feces.

Police alleged that the couple’s 2-year-old son has Down syndrome and is unable to walk or talk, according to Fox 5. Citing court records, the outlet reported that police alleged the boy was in especially poor condition when officers arrived at the campsite, as the parents allegedly cut off his breathing and feeding tube before abandoning their three children. The toddler allegedly sustained brain damage from the lack of care, per the outlet, which reported that officers also noted he appeared to have dental neglect.

The couple reportedly returned to the campsite as an ambulance was taking their children away to a local hospital to receive medical care, and deputies at the scene arrested them there, according to WKRC. At the hospital, medical staff allegedly found that the 2-year-old boy had untreated seizures as well, according to WSB-TV, which reported the seizures had impacted the boy’s brain function.

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The Askea’s three children have now been placed in custody with the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, according to WKRC.