Parents plead innocent to child endangering

YOUNGSTOWN

The parents of two toddlers found wandering Cherry Hill Avenue along pleaded not guilty to charges of endangering children Thursday.

David and Jenny Whalen of Youngstown were arrested Wednesday afternoon after passersby saw their children alone on the west side street and called 911. The 1-year-old girl was wearing a saggy diaper and carrying a gasoline can, while the 3-year-old girl walked naked beside her.

The toddlers are now in the custody of Mahonng County Children’s Services Board and their parents have been court ordered to have no contact with them. David and Jenny Whalen are being held in Mahoning County Jail on $10,000 cash bond each and will appear in court again July 28.

The children were dirty and had bug bites when they were found. Youngstown police went to the girls’ home, 2403 Cherry Ave. and found the 31-year-old father asleep.

Officers said in the report that the house was filled with trash, urine-soaked carpet and beds, stacked unwashed dishes, sharp knives in the children’s reach and old food dripping from the kitchen surfaces. Alcohol and medication were also accessible to the children.

The county dog warden removed two rottweiler’s from the property and the house has been posted as off-limits.