Police: Former deputy, wife charged with neglect after kids found living in squalor

A former Marion County Sheriff's deputy and his wife accused of letting their children live in squalor were formally charged Monday.

Matthew and Kristine Prestel are accused of allowing their 3-year-old and 18-month-old children to live in filthy conditions.

Child Protective Services were called out to the Prestels' residence Feb. 1. Deputies said they found feces and rotting food on the floor of the home. They also said Matthew Prestel wasn't supervising the children. Kristine Prestel was reportedly at work when officials arrived.

Matthew Prestel told investigators the incident was due to bad timing. He claimed he and his wife were having a bad week because both children had been sick. Officials said the daycare where the Prestels' children were enrolled reported the children were dropped off with poor hygiene, medical issues and clothing problems.

According to a probable cause affidavit, the most recent incident happened Feb. 13. A daycare teacher said the Prestels' 3-year-old girl was dropped off in a wet diaper. The child also had dried feces all over her thighs, privates and up her back. When the daycare's medical staff cleaned the child, they said they found blisters. The teacher also said the child had very bad diaper rash.

This isn't the first time the Prestels has been investigated for childcare issues. Back in August 2011, Prestel's daughter was found walking in a parking lot, wearing a very soiled diaper.

Sherrif John Layton fired Matthew Prestel Friday after officials completed an internal investigation.

Matthew Prestel faces four counts of neglect. Kristine Prestel faces three counts of neglect.