Liberty Couple Charged with Unlawful Conduct Toward a Child

On Monday, Pickens County Sheriff's investigators charged a Liberty couple with four counts each of unlawful conduct toward a child.

Alishia Nichol Edwards, 29, and Barry Dean Edwards II, 29, both of 1674 Greenville Highway, Liberty, are accused of placing their four minor children, ages 1, 3, 5 and 6, at unreasonable risk of harm by allowing them to live in an unsafe, unhealthy and unsanitary environment.

Deputies said the family has been without running water since October 2011. According to the sheriff's office, the home was littered with household and other garbage, a rusted machete blade missing the handle was found in the floor, nails scattered throughout the home, feces in the toilet and numerous other health and safety issues.

Deputies said the two youngest children allegedly have tested positive for methamphetamines. All four of the children were taken into Emergency Protective Custody and are currently in the custody of the Department of Social Services, according to deputies.

Both Barry Edwards and Alishia Edwards are being held at the Pickens County Detention Center on a $20,000 surety bond each.