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Ocala parents arrested after children found living in filth

OCALA, Fla. — Deputies arrested the parents of three children who were found living in squalid conditions near Ocala.
 
When Marion County Sheriff's deputies were called to the home Monday, they found knives and suspected drugs near the children.

Officers arrested Jess Palmer, 31, and Stephanie Renee Palmer, 25, on child neglect charges.
 
According to an arrest report, the children -- ages 1, 2 and 5 -- were dirty and were covered in bug bites. The house had trash and rotting food strewn around.
 
Deputies said one of the younger children was sleeping in a crib with a soiled, torn mattress and exposed metal springs. A rotting sandwich was next to the child.

According to the report, an officer saw one child in her room, naked with what smelled and looked like urine in her hair. The officer also said there were several insects crawling on the child.

Stephanie Palmer was being held without bail on a domestic battery charge.

Jess Palmer remained in jail late Monday.

The children were placed in the custody of their grandmother, authorities said.