“‘Shake the insects out’: Mother’s ‘protective’ circle of Raid around baby’s playpen failed to stop bugs from crawling over 1-year-old”
Inset, left to right: Tashaye Brown and Nikolas Cummings (Flagler County Sheriff's Office). Background: The area in Florida where the couple lived (Google Maps).
Posted For: Geist von Panzer
A Florida man and woman were arrested after investigators say they neglected both a toddler and an elderly family member, leaving them to live in unsafe and unsanitary conditions inside a cockroach-infested apartment in Palm Coast.
Nikolas Anthony Cummings, 32, and Tashaye Driaunah Brown, 31, each face charges of cruelty toward a child without great bodily harm and neglect of an elderly or disabled adult with great bodily harm, according to court records.
Flagler County Fire Rescue responded Tuesday to a welfare check for an 81-year-old man at a residence on Westmoreland Drive. Upon entering the home, responders immediately observed garbage, insect droppings, and sticky surfaces throughout the apartment. The elderly man was found lying on a mattress that appeared heavily soiled.
According to a probable cause affidavit, insects emerged from the man’s mattress and clothing as first responders assisted him. The mattress and bedding were reportedly stained from repeated exposure to bodily waste.
While on scene, responders realized a child believed to be under 2 years old was also living in the home and contacted the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies who arrived later described a strong, foul odor and large amounts of trash and debris throughout the residence.
After navigating through the clutter, deputies found a 1-year-old child sleeping in a Pack ’n Play in the living room. Insects were reportedly crawling on the child as he slept. When deputies asked Brown to show them food for the child, she opened a refrigerator that contained expired food and visible mold.
Detectives returned to the home the following day and found the child still in the same enclosure, with cockroaches inside it. Investigators noted that Brown attempted to address the infestation by spraying Raid insecticide around the child’s sleeping area. According to the affidavit, she would flip the enclosure upside down each night to shake out insects before placing the child back inside and spraying a circle of insecticide around it.
Despite these efforts, detectives said insects continued to emerge from the fabric of the enclosure, and they repeatedly removed bugs from the child’s sleeping area.
Investigators also found black residue throughout the home believed to be roach droppings, mold, or both.
In the elderly man’s bedroom, deputies reported a strong odor of urine. Although he was alert, he was unable to reach a portable toilet located nearby and told officers he had not changed his clothes in about a week. Insects were also observed emerging from his clothing and leg wounds.
Brown and Cummings were arrested and taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. As of Friday, they were being held on $15,000 bond.
“The deplorable conditions of that house were no place for a toddler or a senior with serious medical issues,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “This was not a matter of money — it was a complete lack of care and effort.”
Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Feb. 4, according to court records.
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