Charges filed in Pearl Street case; schools saw no signs of dirty living conditions

Prosecutor Morley Swingle filed felony child endangerment charges Wednesday against a Cape Girardeau couple who allegedly lived with their six children among mounds of garbage in a Pearl Street home.

Cedric C. Moore, 46, and Karen J. Clark, 40, face up to seven years in prison each if convicted. When they left the home at 215 Pearl St., cleaners piled an enormous pyramid of garbage, furniture and appliances outside.

The couple will be issued a summons to appear, Swingle said in a prepared statement. No court date has been set.

In a sworn statement that accompanied the complaint, Cape Girardeau police Detective Darren Estes said that police discovered dirty diapers and spoiled food lying about, no water or gas service, and a five-gallon bucket in the hallway being used as a toilet.

The home is owned by Ronald and Regina Moore, brother and sister-in-law to Cedric Moore. Moore and Clark lived in the home for six years and denied Ronald and Regina Moore access to the home, Regina Moore said.

She said she visited the Cape Girardeau police station Sept. 12 when Cedric Moore "cussed me out and told me to leave the property" when she attempted to complete an eviction.

That led to a call to the Missouri Children's Division, said police spokesman Sgt. Barry Hovis.

The children were placed in protective custody but have since been returned to their parents, Regina Moore said.

There was no answer to a call placed to Karen Clark's telephone number.

The children in the home range in age from 2 to 13. The oldest two are students at Central Junior High School, principal Lee Gattis said. Teachers and counselors saw no evidence that the two were living in abnormal conditions, he said.

"We had no indications whatsoever," Gattis said. "They were clean and healthy enough to not draw attention."

A 10-year-old in the family attends Central Middle School, principal Frank Ellis said. There was no outward evidence of a problem, he said.

Teachers and counselors observe students for abnormal behavior or other indications that there are problems at home, both educators said. School officials get those students together with counselors and then decide on appropriate action, they said.

"We would contact parents first," Gattis said. "But if we know there is a situation of child abuse or neglect to the point it was an ongoing problem, we would call the child abuse hot line."

Gattis said he hasn't seen a case requiring that action in about five years.

Observation is key

The key to uncovering problems, Ellis said, is observation. A lack of bathing is obvious, he said, but more subtle indicators can expose neglect or abuse as well.

"We look at behavior patterns, where something changes to where it is not normal," Ellis said. "If we see a look of sadness, a lack of wanting to work when they had been working on a regular basis, we stop them and ask them what is wrong."

Cedric Moore and Karen Clark lived almost rent-free in the home after Ronald Moore purchased it six years ago, Regina Moore said.

They had a written agreement with Ronald Moore to buy the home but failed to keep the promises made, she said. Attempts to create a lease agreement on upkeep of the home and rent also were unsuccessful, she said.

Finally, the couple was given a 30-day notice to leave, Regina Moore said.

The house was assessed for lead about a year ago, Regina Moore said. If conditions had been bad at that time, she said, she is sure it would have been reported.

She and her husband could never gain access to the house because the front door was locked with a padlock, Regina Moore said. The home was in good condition when purchased, she said.

Now, walls are rotted, floors have gaping holes and the house is ruined, she said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126