CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. -- Chester County authorities found much more than they bargained for when they went to serve drug warrants on a man Tuesday around noon.
Deputies say they discovered Danny Williams Dove had been keeping his family in their home on the 2700 block of S.C. 97 for more than four years. His wife told investigators she was never allowed to leave and the older of their two children, ages 4 and 8, was never enrolled in school.
Deputies said it appears the children had not received medical attention in quite some time and they were living in horrendous conditions. They found garbage and clothes strewn about as well as maggots and feces in the part of the home where the family was living.
The children were taken to Chester Regional Medical Center to be checked out. They are now in protective custody
Authorities had gone to the home because they suspected Dove was selling a prescription pain killer. They said they found four video poker machines in a clean room that was walled off from the rest of the house.
Dove is now charged with two counts of distribution of a controlled substance, two counts of criminal conspiracy, one count of operating a gambling establishment and two counts of child neglect. Authorities said he may face more charges relating to his family’s condition, but they are still investigating.
The Sheriff says Dove even set up several cameras around the house to keep a constant eye on who was coming in and out.
The people who run a business next door, which is in a building they rent from Dove, said they had never seen the man’s wife or children and didn’t even know of their existence.
Dove’s wife said she tried to leave once more than three years ago, but her husband talked her out of it.
Deputies say they discovered Danny Williams Dove had been keeping his family in their home on the 2700 block of S.C. 97 for more than four years. His wife told investigators she was never allowed to leave and the older of their two children, ages 4 and 8, was never enrolled in school.
Deputies said it appears the children had not received medical attention in quite some time and they were living in horrendous conditions. They found garbage and clothes strewn about as well as maggots and feces in the part of the home where the family was living.
The children were taken to Chester Regional Medical Center to be checked out. They are now in protective custody
Authorities had gone to the home because they suspected Dove was selling a prescription pain killer. They said they found four video poker machines in a clean room that was walled off from the rest of the house.
Dove is now charged with two counts of distribution of a controlled substance, two counts of criminal conspiracy, one count of operating a gambling establishment and two counts of child neglect. Authorities said he may face more charges relating to his family’s condition, but they are still investigating.
The Sheriff says Dove even set up several cameras around the house to keep a constant eye on who was coming in and out.
The people who run a business next door, which is in a building they rent from Dove, said they had never seen the man’s wife or children and didn’t even know of their existence.
Dove’s wife said she tried to leave once more than three years ago, but her husband talked her out of it.
