Police: 5 Children Removed From Home With 'Deplorable Conditions'

MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester police responded to a Spruce Street apartment on Friday to check the condition of several children.

The property manager told police they were trying to fix a leak that was coming from the second floor but the tenant refused to let them inside, according to a report. MPD Spokesperson Heather Hamel said the officers were told the apartment had cockroaches inside and out and the manager could hear several children inside.

From the outside, officers could see a swarm of bugs and flies hovering around the exterior second-floor apartment windows and when they went up to the door, they smelled a distinct stench coming from the unit, a report stated.

A woman, later identified as Alicia Washok, 37, opened the door but was accused of not immediately cooperating and refusing to let officers inside. While officers stood at the door, a young child came out. The child was covered in filth and had a bad odor, police said.

Officers explained that by law they needed to check the inside of the apartment for the well-being of the children. A report stated: "Inside, officers found trash covering the floor, flies, and bugs on the ceilings and walls, and what appeared to be feces near the crib and moldy food where children slept.” Police determined that the apartment was unsafe for the five children inside, ages 2 to 6.

The children were taken to Elliot Hospital for observation and Washok, her husband Eddie King, 44, and, Washok’s mother Lori Harmon, 62, were all arrested and charged with reckless conduct and endangering the welfare of a child. Washok and Harmon were also charged with resisting arrest.

Information for this article was provided by the Manchester Police Department.