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New Port Richey Couple Face Child Neglect Charges

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By Julia Ferrante, Tampa Tribune

Published: August 3, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - A couple was charged with child neglect Saturday after a 2 1/2-year-old boy was found wandering alone through the neighborhood in a diaper and T-shirt.

Lynn Derstine, 43, and Melissa Gran Pouti, 34, both of 66639 Candice Lane, were arrested at 11:44 p.m. after neighbors identified the child as being in their care. Derstine and Pouti told New Port Richey
Police they did not know the child was missing, according to reports.

Lynn Derstine

Witnesses told investigators the child had been found wandering near the home a month before. They identified the child and where he lived, reports said.

Investigators inspected the home and found the conditions "dangerous and dirty," according to reports. Electrical cords were hanging on the door knob of the child's room. Pouti said they were used to keep the child in his room. Another cord was wrapped around the refrigerator at the child's level.

Melissa Gran Pouti

Feces and dead bugs were found on the floor and walls of the child's room and a bathroom. The boy's 1-year-old brother's room was in the same condition, according to reports.

Derstine and Pouti are being held at the Land O' Lakes Jail, with bail set at $5,000 and $1,000, respectively.

The children were removed from the home.

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