Woman arrested on 3 counts of child abuse
HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — A heartbreaking case of severe child neglect sends a mother to jail as her three children are taken from her care in Henderson County. Investigators say they were living in filth and with head lice so bad their heads were matted and scabbed. Angela Maness was arrested for two felony charges and one misdemeanor charge of child abuse on Wednesday. Authorities say they found three children between the ages of 4 and 15 living in a home where debris, feces and urine covered the floors. “There was some possible neglect going on, kids behind in school work, behind in school attendance and they appear to be unkempt — extreme tooth decay,” said Henderson County Sherrif’s Office Capt. Tracey Grisham. “Turns out they had lice to the point where it was matted up. You can see scabs on their scalps. They went and did a home review, home inspection more or less, and it was in disarray.” Neighbors said they’ve never noticed anything unusual happening at the house. “The people across the street, I know they have children,” a neighbor said. “I’ve seen the children play outside and I’ve seen them get on the school bus, but I’ve never noticed anything out of the ordinary.” The Department of Children’s Services said the children currently are in the custody of another family member. Maness is now free on a $2,500 bond.
