Brooks enters guilty plea in unsanitary home case

Melanie R. Brooks, 26, of 1827 Big Bend Blvd., pleaded guilty Tuesday to a reduced charge in a case stemming from an unsanitary home.

Cape Girardeau police, working with the Missouri Children's Division, in June discovered piles of trash, no gas or water service, a major infestation of roaches and rotting food on the counter in the home.

Brooks, who was originally charged with a felony, received a suspended sentence from Circuit Judge William Syler, who placed her on supervised probation for two years.

Her husband, Denver Brooks, pleaded guilty to the same misdemeanor charge in November. He will be sentenced Jan. 9 by Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis.