PALM COAST, FL – Neighbors’ quick actions led to the arrest of a Florida man after his 2-year-old son was discovered wandering alone on the street wearing a soiled diaper early Sunday morning. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office responded to calls from Collins Lane residents around 9 a.m. when they noticed the toddler walking unaccompanied in the middle of the road, avoiding traffic.
Concerned by the sight of the child without supervision, neighbors approached the boy, who pointed towards his home. Upon investigation, one neighbor found the front door wide open and discovered the child’s father, Ross Edward Judy, 44, asleep inside. After being awakened, Judy retrieved his son, who fortunately was unharmed but had been outside unsupervised for at least 30 minutes.
As law enforcement arrived, Judy retreated into his home, closing the door behind him. Observations by authorities revealed the child was wearing a heavily soiled diaper, and the surroundings outside were notably unkempt, littered with trash, bottles, and other hazardous debris, including a chainsaw near the entrance.
When deputies investigated inside the home, they noted a pervasive smell of alcohol and an alarming level of neglect. The interior was strewn with garbage, feces, and numerous alcoholic beverage containers. Unsanitary conditions extended to the bathrooms, where piles of trash and cigarette ash rendered them unusable, while insects were seen in the toilet.
Further raising concerns, deputies discovered pill bottles, exposed razors, and needles within easy reach of the child. In the boy’s room, a crib sat amidst scattered dirty diapers, highlighting further neglect.
The deputies’ findings extended beyond the child, as they encountered a dog suffering from severe neglect, confined in a cage. The animal had a pronounced ear infection, urine stains, and substantial hair loss, indicating prolonged mistreatment.
Judy now faces charges of felony child neglect and animal abandonment. As of Wednesday, he remained in custody at the Flagler County Jail with a bond set at $4,000. The child has been placed in the care of his grandparents.
Sheriff Rick Staly expressed his gratitude for the community’s vigilance, emphasizing that such living conditions are unacceptable for children or animals. He praised neighbors for their prompt reporting, which allowed authorities to intervene swiftly and ensure the child’s safety.