Horry County police arrested two women on Saturday following a complaint filed by the Department of Social Services.
Jean Marie Martell, 36, and Jo Ann Kuppart, 54, both of Conway are charged with Unlawful Neglect of a Child or Helpless Person, according to an Horry County police report.
Police were called to the home on Quiet Avenue Friday afternoon to meet a DSS employee who was on his third visit to the residence. Upon arrival, the DSS employee was standing with three children. He told police a complainant had notified DSS that the home was 'dirty and smelly' and that the home had been without running water for at least 12 days.
The officer noted in the report that the stench coming from the home when the entry door was opened was 'over-whelming'. The report also said end tables, counter tops and pieces of furniture were covered with stacks of unclean dishes, trash and moldy food. It also said the three toilets in home were overflowing with human waste and urine.
One of the children couldn't remember the last time they'd taken a shower, but thought it was in December, according to the report. The three children were then taken by officers into Emergency Protective Custody.
A warrant was issued for the arrest of Martell and Kuppart, who were arrested and booked at J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Saturday. The two posted bond and were released Sunday afternoon, according to online records.
