CRIME

Copeland couple face charges of child abuse, neglect

Alexi C. Cardona
alexi.cardona@naplesnews.com; 239-403-6153

A Copeland man and woman face charges of child abuse and neglect after authorities reported finding that the woman's two children were covered in flea bites and living in filth.

Bedford

Heather Smith, 23, and her boyfriend, John Bedford, 21, were arrested Wednesday and booked at the Naples Jail Center on suspicion of felony child neglect and felony child abuse, respectively, according to a Collier County Sheriff's Office arrest report.

A state Department of Children and Families investigator went to the couple's trailer Monday for a welfare check in reference to an anonymous complaint about the children's living conditions, the report states. A Sheriff's Office detective also responded to the trailer to investigate.

One of the boys had about 30 flea bites on his back, legs, arms and face, according to the report. The other boy had some flea bites and bruises on his buttocks, face and head. The ages of the boys were redacted from the report.

Investigators reported the trailer was "hazardous and filthy." There were fleas everywhere, including in the boys' bed and crib, and there were dirty diapers throughout the trailer and soiled sheets in the crib, the report states.

There was no food in the broken refrigerator and no toddler food or formula in the home, investigators reported.

Mattresses and lumber were lined against the walls and could have fallen on the children, the report states.

Smith

A family member told investigators that Bedford spanked one of the boys on the buttocks several times last week and forcefully put him in a timeout, according to authorities.

On Tuesday the boys were taken to the Children's Advocacy Center for a medical exam, and deputies talked to Smith and Bedford on Wednesday.

Investigators asked Smith, the boys' mom, about the bruises on her son's body. She said she never saw her boyfriend use "excessive discipline" on the boys, according to the report.

Bedford told investigators that he sometimes became frustrated with Smith's sons, especially when left alone with them, the report states.

Bedford said he had been stressed about losing his job and financial security, arguments with Smith and the boys' acting out, officials said.

Smith and Bedford are scheduled to be arraigned April 17.