Mom and dad plead innocent to charges

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

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

David and Jenny Whalen of Youngstown were arrested Wednesday afternoon after passers-by 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, according to police.

The toddlers are in the custody of Mahonng County Children Services, and their parents have been court-ordered to have no contact with them. The Whalens are 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. 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, stacks of unwashed dishes, sharp knives in the children’s reach and old food dripping from the kitchen surfaces. Alcohol and medication also were accessible to the children, police said.

The county dog warden removed two Rottweiler dogs from the property, and the house has been posted as off-limits.