Couple face charges after child discovered wandering street naked

A Mingo County couple faces child neglect and animal abuse charges after a 4-year-old girl was found walking naked in the street around 1 a.m. Friday. Deputies say the child showed signs of neglect, and the home where five kids lived was in filthy condition. The parents, Kailee Gerardi and Zachary Johnson, have been arrested. All children are now in CPS care.

WILLIAMSON A Mingo County couple is facing serious charges after a four-year-old girl was found walking naked in the street early Friday morning.

Deputies say a 911 caller discovered the child just after one o’clock in the morning on West Fifth Avenue in Williamson and brought her inside to dress her. The girl was taken to a hospital, where officers noted bruises, dirt, and severely matted hair.

The child’s mother, 25-year-old Kailee Gerardi, arrived later and said she’d left her husband, 27-year-old Zachary Johnson, in charge of their five children while she stayed at a friend’s home.

Authorities allegedly found all five children sleeping on a single mattress, used diapers on the floor, cat food scattered in the kitchen, and a dog caged in its own waste. One child said the dog was never let out.

Johnson never called 911, but did contact a family member about the missing child.

Both parents are charged with multiple counts of child neglect and one count of animal abuse. The children are now with Child Protective Services.

PHOTO | MGN