MARIETTA, GA — Three parents are facing multiple child cruelty and drug charges after police say 15 children were found living with three adults inside a two-bedroom Marietta apartment.
The investigation began last week after the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services received a referral involving possible abuse of two children living at an apartment complex on Bells Ferry Road.
DFCS workers requested help from Marietta police while attempting to conduct a welfare check. When authorities could not make contact with an adult inside, detectives began working to obtain a search warrant.
Before the warrant was secured, the apartment door opened and children began coming outside.
“The door opened and 15 different children all ranging from ages 1 to 17 years old exited that 2-bedroom apartment. Certainly that was the first surprise of many that would come,” Marietta Police spokesman Chuck McPhilamy said.
Police say the three adults, 40-year-old Ashley Jackson, 41-year-old Derrick Jackson and 36-year-old Briana Reynolds, arrived about three hours later. The adults told investigators they were the children’s biological parents.
After obtaining the search warrant, detectives determined all 18 people were living inside the two-bedroom apartment.
“The only way to explain this would be that the living conditions were deplorable,” McPhilamy said.
DFCS relocated the 15 children to safe environments.
Ashley Jackson is charged with first-degree cruelty to children, second-degree cruelty to children and possession of marijuana.
Derrick Jackson is charged with first-degree cruelty to children, second-degree cruelty to children, possession of marijuana and crossing the guard line.
Reynolds is charged with first-degree cruelty to children, second-degree cruelty to children and possession of marijuana.
“We can’t say thank you enough to the individual that submitted the welfare check raising everyone’s awareness to the situation,” McPhilamy said.
WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Lisa Nicholas contributed to this story.