A Jay couple living in a recreational vehicle (RV) with three children has been charged with three counts felony child neglect and the male with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon when law enforcement responding to a complaint on March 21 found unsuitable living conditions and ammunition and firearms.
Melvin Ellis Warner, 62, and Merry Santana Adams, 47, 6752 Camp Henderson Road, were living with three children, ages 4, 8 and 15, in a camper when officers responded to a disturbance complaint last Saturday, according to a Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office report.
The officers discovered a .22 pistol in the back bedroom under a shirt and a .410 shotgun next to the bed against the wall, the report said. There were also multiple boxes of ammunition on a counter top in the front of the RV.
When an officer requested dispatch to conduct a criminal history check on the couple, Warner had a felony conviction in 1981 for armed robbery, according to the report.
The children left the residence with a family member to stay until the investigation into the living conditions could be investigated.
An investigation involving the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Children and Family Services determined the residence was uninhabitable due to roach and bug infestation, no running water, the presence of mold all throughout the living area of the RV, spoiled food inside, firearms left accessible to children and dangerous trash and derelict junk, including sharp metal and broken glass, all throughout the yard where the children play. There were also no suitable sleeping arrangements, with all three children, a 15-year-old boy, 8-year-old female and 4-year-old female, sleeping in the same bed with both adults, the report noted.
Warner and Adams were arrested and charged with three counts each felony child abuse neglect without great bodily harm. Warner was charged with one count felony possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Both were transported to Santa Rosa County Jail. Warner was given no bond and Adams received a bond of $7,500.
