NORTH VERNON, Ind.–Police recently arrested a Jennings County couple after their child was put in the custody of the Department of Child Services. Sgt. Andy Richmond, public information officer with the North Vernon Police Department, says Justin Dubben, 42, of North Vernon and Karen Dubben, 47, of North Vernon, were arrested and charged with neglect of a dependent when officers were sent to their home on a report of battery on a small child.
Law enforcement described the living conditions at the residence as “horrid.” Police say inside the house they found exposed electrical wires in a bedroom, multiple piles of dirty clothes lying around, sewage in a bathroom, no electricity, no hot water, no cold food storage and very little food in the cabinets.
One child, age 9, was found at the residence. The investigation took place around 11:30 p.m., and when asked, the nine-year-old allegedly said he had eaten his last meal at school at lunchtime that day.
