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Parents Arrested After Three Toddlers Found in Deplorable Conditions

State police in Milton say two parents who recently moved from Dauphin County were arrested after officers found three toddlers living in conditions described as "deplorable and unsanitary." The children were taken into protective custody and child welfare referrals were made, an action that raises questions about local child protection capacity and community vigilance.

Sarah Chen2 min read
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Parents Arrested After Three Toddlers Found in Deplorable Conditions
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State police in Milton reported that on December 5, 2025 two parents who had recently relocated from Dauphin County were arrested after officers discovered three toddlers living in what police described as "deplorable and unsanitary" conditions. Law enforcement removed the children from the residence and placed them in protective custody while child welfare authorities opened referrals to assess the children s immediate needs and longer term placement options.

Local officials have filed charges against the parents and outlined upcoming court steps. Those steps include initial arraignment and review hearings in Union County courts, which will determine pretrial custody and whether formal dependency or neglect proceedings will be launched by child welfare agencies. Prosecutors and child welfare workers will coordinate investigations that typically examine the home environment, parental capacity, and any prior reports or interventions.

The case landed in Milton, a borough within Union County, and has immediate local implications. Protective custody moves cases quickly into the county child welfare system and can strain resources when emergency placements, medical evaluations, and social work assessments are required. For residents this means an increased presence of police and child welfare personnel in neighborhoods and potential community concern over child safety and reporting practices.

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Statistically, cases that result in protective custody often trigger multiagency responses, from public health evaluations to court-ordered family services. The referrals now open with Union County child welfare will determine whether the toddlers can return home under supervision, be placed with relatives, or enter foster care while the legal process proceeds. The outcome will shape the county s short term demands on foster placements and family support programs.

Community leaders and service providers in Union County may use this incident to reassess outreach and early intervention efforts that prevent neglect. For parents and caregivers, the case serves as a reminder that neighbors and professionals are required to report signs of severe neglect. Union County residents seeking to support child safety can contact local child welfare offices to learn reporting procedures and available family assistance resources.

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