Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader issued a press release on Friday evening concerning two people who were arrested after a shocking case of child neglect.  Read the press release from Sheriff Schrader below:

On April 4, 2024 at approximately 1700 hours, Chief Investigator Jason Burrage was notified by Atrium Floyd Emergency Department in Rome concerning two children that were being treated there. Chief Inv. Burrage responded to the hospital and found the two children, ages 12 months and 23 months were severely malnourished and dehydrated. The 23 month old weighed 14 lbs, only twice its birth weight, and was extremely lethargic and nearly lifeless. The investigation revealed that the parents had failed to provide the necessary sustenance for the children to thrive. This included food, water, nutrition and adequate medical care. Another one of the couples children, a 36 month old, was located at a relative’s house and was found to be underweight as well. The two children that were being treated at Atrium Floyd were quickly transferred to a children’s specialty hospital for further treatment. The younger children weren’t able to sit, stand, walk or otherwise function as a child their age should due to their condition. The parents, 22 year old Joseph David Wilson Jr and 22 year old Santeria Watkins, both of Summerville, were charged with 3 counts each of Cruelty to Chldren 1st degree, 2 counts each of Cruelty to Children 2nd degree and 3 counts of Contributing to the dependency of a child. The children have been removed from their custody and the investigation is being continued by Chief Inv. Burrage.

-Sheriff Mark A. Schrader