Former DCS Employee and Two Others Face Charges Following Child Abuse Case
A former Department of Children’s Services (DCS) employee, along with two others, are now facing charges in connection with a case of child abuse in Saulsbury, Tennessee. The Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office and Whiteville Police Department conducted a search at a home on Rocky Springs Road after receiving a tip about crimes against children at the residence. Inside the house, investigators discovered six girls, ranging in age from 9 to 14, living in appalling conditions.
Upon entering the home, seven officers experienced nausea and vomiting due to the overwhelming stench and filth inside. Neighbors also reported seeing dead animals in the vicinity. Joshua Patterson, Misti Tincher, and Denica Marcell were subsequently arrested and charged with various offenses related to child abuse, neglect, and cruelty to animals.
Marcell, a former DCS agent, faces charges of official misconduct and accessory after the fact for falsifying reports involving the children. Despite being under the supervision of DCS, the girls were found to be living in deplorable conditions, including collapsed ceilings, mold, animal feces, and a severe roach infestation. Witnesses reported the children suffering from neglect and poor hygiene, with one neighbor recalling how the kids brought roaches and lice with them whenever they visited.
As the investigation continues, the community is shocked by the extent of the abuse and neglect that occurred in the home. Marcell is currently out on bond while the legal proceedings unfold.
