Child dead, parents arrested, more charges deemed likely

ATHENS – Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says pending the official autopsy report, he is prepared to file additional charges against the parents whose 18-month-old son was found dead at home in the Murchison area Tuesday. According to a news release, Erin Michelle Dennis, 23, and Daniel David Dennis, 25, have been charged with abandoning and endangering a child because of injuries to two other children in the home who have now been placed in the care of Child Protective Services. Hillhouse says investigators described he residence as horrible with human feces on the wall and dirty diapers on the floor. The temperature in the children’s room was high and had reached 103 degrees, according to the release. Hillhouse reports one of the baby cribs had been rigged as a “cage” according to the parents, and bedroom doors were locked from the outside to prevent escape.

The mother said she awoke Tuesday morning to play video games. She said she then checked on the three children and found the 18-month old dead. The Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and Child Protective Services with this investigation. Bail has been set at $1 million for the current charges. Hillhouse says the investigation will continue until all parties involved are charged.