Two Charleroi parents were arrested over the weekend after one of their children called 911 to falsely report their father had died. Instead, police said, they discovered a filthy home without running water.
Jackson Alexis, 40, and Roldy Noel, 27, of Charleroi were arrested this weekend and are being charged with endangering the welfare of children.
Charleroi police were dispatched Saturday to McKean Avenue after a juvenile girl called 911 to report her father was dead, according to a criminal complaint.
The girl led officers to a bedroom where Alexis was found to be “lying face down on a mattress on the floor,” the complaint says. Upon shaking him, police found he was conscious.
In addition to the girl, police said, Alexis’ infant son was in the bedroom with him, according to the complaint.
“Alexis had difficulty communicating and stated that he was attempting to get something for his son when he fell over,” the complaint says. His daughter then called 911.
Police said Alexis told them he had “recently learned his father was dying” and that he was experiencing chest pain. He was treated by EMS and then transported to an area hospital for evaluation.
While police were in the home, officers said, the girl went to another part of the residence and went to the bathroom in a bucket.
“Officers checked the apartment and observed there was no running water,” the complaint says. “The toilet was inoperable, and the shower was filled with brown water.
“There was garbage piled up in the corner of the residence, dirty dishes piled up in the sink and a strong odor of garbage. The residence was in an unclean condition. There was some food in the refrigerator.”
Police said the only clean room in the residence was the girl’s bedroom, according to the complaint.
The two children were taken into protective custody by the police officers on the scene and given food from McDonald’s, the complaint says.
After numerous attempts to contact the children’s mother, police said, Noel was eventually located “with assistance from an individual affiliated with the Haitian Center in Charleroi.”
She came to the police station and was advised her husband was at a hospital and in stable condition, the complaint says. Noel also confirmed to police there is no running water in their residence on McKean Avenue, authorities said.
Children & Youth Services took the children into custody.
Alexis and Noel are awaiting preliminary hearings.
