Endangering children

Recent charges filed against parents for endangering their children because of filthy living conditions raise questions for everyone about how these conditions could be prevented.

A couple in Perryville, Mo., have been charged with manslaughter and child endangerment in the death of their 4-year-old boy, who died from a staph infection. The child endangerment charges stem from the unsanitary living conditions found in the home by investigators from the Missouri Children's Division.

In Cape Girardeau, a couple have been charged with felony child endangerment after authorities discovered them and their six children ages 2 to 13 living in a rental home with no water or gas service and a five-gallon bucket serving as a toilet.

In Scott City, a woman with a 9-year-old girl in the home has been charged with felony child endangerment for allegedly maintaining unsanitary conditions in her home. The charge also stems from allowing the woman's 19-year-old son to continue living in the home after learning that he was allegedly molesting the girl.

For anyone aware of similar situations, the most direct means of getting children out of danger quickly is to call the state child abuse and neglect hotline. That phone number is (800) 392-3738.

Cities also must bear some responsibility. Neither landlords nor tenants should be allowed to maintain the substandard housing that led to these circumstances.

In Cape Girardeau, the city works on a complaint basis only. Inspectors will respond to complaints from tenants, neighbors, relatives or friends. When city inspectors see conditions they think are dangerous to children they will notify the Missouri Children's Division.

The city attempts to work with the owner to have the property upgraded. If that does not occur, the city has the option of suing in municipal court.

Other cities have taken steps to monitor the condition of housing. Park Hills, Mo., requires an occupancy permit when ownership of a rental property changes hands or when a new renter occupies the property. The cost of the inspection conducted by the city is $25, a fee paid by the landlord. Carbondale, Ill., inspects each of its 16,000 rental units over a four-year cycle.