Police find loaded gun near Disney DVDs within reach of children in roach-infested home

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. (WKRC) – A mother has been arrested for child neglect after police allegedly found drug paraphernalia and a loaded gun within reach of the children in her bug-infested home.

Officials with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said they began investigating the home after a report that a 16-year-old boy pointed a gun at a group of people sitting in a car. Authorities said they tracked the boy to his home, which is owned by his mother, 37-year-old Amanda Gaisford.

In addition to the 16-year-old, Gaisford was caring for a 13-year-old, a 9-year-old and a 7-year-old at home, with the older two being Gaisford’s biological children and the younger two being adopted by her late mother, police said.

Authorities said they encountered “numerous dangers” when they entered the house. First, the loaded gun the 16-year-old was in possession of was allegedly found in an entertainment center on classic children’s DVDs such as The Lion King and The Polar Express.

Another gun store was allegedly found buried in a basket in one of the children’s bedrooms, which was also full of marijuana paraphernalia.

Disturbingly, the home appeared to have no running water, each of the toilets was filled with feces and urine, and the entire home reeked, police said.

“The residence was infested with roaches, fleas and other insects, which created conditions that could have caused physical pain to the children in the residence,” police said in a statement. “The infestation could have been avoided if it weren’t for the hoarding conditions in the house, the rubbish and perishable items and the general level of absolute unsanitary conditions observed in the house.”

Police said the house had such a foul odor that it was visible from the outside.

“The entire house emanated a very strong foul/rotten odor similar to spoiled food, urine and feces,” police said.

“This house was in terrible shape, and it was something no one should be exposed to, especially children,” said Sheriff Rick Staley. “I am happy that we were able to get these children out of this home before any of them (were) seriously injured or accidentally killed themselves by coming across a loaded firearm in the living room, or became seriously ill due to the deplorable living conditions and exposure to illegal drugs.” .

Gaisford was arrested on four counts of child neglect. A 16-year-old boy was arrested for the alleged first offense of aiming at someone with a gun, and the other three children were picked up by the Florida Department of Children and Families.