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TOOELE — A Tooele couple is facing felony charges following a child abuse investigation that started when their three children were spotted playing outside around broken glass.
Donald B. Gore, 44, and Rose Sprau Gore, 42, were each charged Monday in 3rd District Court with three counts of aggravated child abuse, a second-degree felony.
The investigation began Aug. 17 when a person who had gone to the Gore residence to buy a trailer "observed children in the home who were running across the driveway barefoot while it was covered with broken glass," according to charging documents. "The witness also told the officer that the children smelled like cat urine and had scabs on their arms and legs."
When police questioned Rose Gore, she said she had pulled her three children — a 12-year-old girl and two boys, ages 11 and 7 — out of school.
The responding officer "smelled feces and urine coming from the house. He observed feces on the floor and walls, and spoiled food left out that the children were actively eating. He also observed maggots and flies throughout the upstairs. The water had been shut off from the house and some of the children's rooms had no electricity. The toilet was full of dried feces and there were huge piles of trash on the floor. The children were skinny and malnourished," according to the charges.
The children were taken into state protective custody. During an examination, a doctor found "severe constipation issues, probably caused by poor diet," in addition to bites likely caused by bed bugs, poor hygiene, and one child had a maggot removed from her ear, the charges allege.
One boy would only use gestures to communicate with the doctor and would not talk to him. The doctor described the girl's neglect "as grave. The doctor stated that if conditions did not change for (her), she was at high risk of death from starvation. He stated that she was nearly to the point where some harm to her may be irreversible. The doctor stated that the same diagnosis was applicable to (her siblings)," according to the charges.
The health department closed the Gore residence to occupancy.
Child abuse resources:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online: udvc.org. The statewide child abuse and neglect hotline is 1-855-323-DCFS (3237).
- The Utah Division of Child and Family Services offers counseling, teaches parenting skills and conflict resolution and can connect families with community resources. Its goal is to keep children with their family when it is "possible and safe." Visit dcfs.utah.gov/contact-us/ or call 801-538-4100.
- The Christmas Box House acts as a temporary shelter for children and can provide them with new clothing and shoes, among other services. Call the Salt Lake office at 801-747-2201 or the Ogden office at 801-866-0350.
