Officers found 157 snakes and lizards, about 1000 mice and rats, and mealworms in the home. Photo / Thinkstock
Officers found 157 snakes and lizards, about 1000 mice and rats, and mealworms in the home. Photo / Thinkstock
A Kansas City couple whose "extremely filthy" family home was overrun with more than 1000 reptiles and rodents was charged with child endangerment.
Officers found Michelle Higgins, 36, and Anthony Higgins snr, 37, living with 157 snakes and lizards, about 1000 mice and rats and mealworms in the home theyshared with their daughter 13, and 15-year-old son.
One deputy who went into the house was so overcome by the smell in the property he vomited and had to use an oxygen tank and mask to complete his investigation.
"The sheriff's deputy that went in gagged and had to go outside and throw up," said county spokesman John Sonderegger. "The state family and children's services worker got in there and got sick too. It was a mess."
Officials went to the home on Sunday after receiving reports about possible child neglect and found the home in "extremely filthy condition," according to court documents.
The couple told a deputy that the house had been in the same condition for two years, the Kansas City Star reported. They said they knew it was the wrong environment for their children but had not wanted to remove the animals.
