A Florida couple faces felony neglect charges after authorities discovered a toddler and an elderly man living in a home overrun by cockroaches, garbage, and unsanitary conditions.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested Nikolas Anthony Cummings, 32, and Tashaye Driaunah Brown, 31, earlier this week. Both are charged with cruelty toward a child and neglect of an elderly or disabled adult, resulting in great bodily harm.
According to the investigation, emergency responders were called Tuesday to a home on Westmoreland Drive in Palm Coast for a welfare check on an 81-year-old man. Upon entering, rescuers encountered a “vile and putrid odor” and observed the residence covered in trash, sticky substances, and insect droppings.
The elderly man was found in a separate room, physically unable to reach a nearby portable toilet. Insects were observed crawling out of his socks and from scabs on his legs, and his bedding was reportedly contaminated with urine, feces, and insects.
While attending to the man, responders discovered a one-year-old child living in the home. Deputies found the child sleeping in a portable crib infested with cockroaches. The mother allegedly admitted to shaking the bugs out each night and spraying Raid around the crib in an attempt to control the infestation, though the hazardous spray did not eliminate the insects. Investigators also noted mold growing on expired food in the refrigerator.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly condemned the living conditions, stating, “The deplorable conditions of that house were no place for a toddler or a senior with serious medical issues. These two feigned ignorance over the trash, feces, and insects covering the floors, walls, and victims inside the home.”
Cummings and Brown were booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. They are being held on a $15,000 bond and are scheduled for arraignment on February 4, 2026.