2 charged after 4 children found living in deplorable conditions in Knoxville
Two adults face criminal charges after four children were found living in deplorable conditions in the Knoxville section of Pittsburgh.
India McKnight, 34, and Earl Kenney, 45, both of Pittsburgh, are charged with endangering the welfare of children and criminal conspiracy in connection to a police investigation that began in August.
According to a criminal complaint, police were investigating other allegations when they found the house in the 100 block of Charles Street to have about 20 cats inside, with feces and urine in each room.
The only furniture in the home was a couch in the living room, according to the complaint. The home’s refrigerator was not plugged in, and the only food in the home was a single box of macaroni and cheese, according to the complaint.
One of the children told police that their mother, McKnight, kept all food locked in the trunk of her car, the complaint said.
The child also told police there had been no heat or water in the home since March or April, and that the children had only been given air mattresses to sleep on and the air mattresses had holes in them, the complaint said.
McKnight and Kenney have yet to be arraigned on the charges.
Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at kstepler@triblive.com.
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