The four children of a Magna couple whose home was filthy — and inhabited by a 72-year-old woman who was found in her own wastes — are going to be returned to their parents, a judge has decided.
The couple voluntarily placed the children with relatives and neighbors after law enforcement officials found the 72-year-old woman in the basement of the house, sitting in a recliner in her own urine and fecal matter, with open wounds and rotting flesh on her feet.
The woman is still in the hospital and if she recovers enough to be released, Adult Protective Services will investigate whether she has a safe place to go.
Meanwhile, 3rd District Juvenile Judge Robert Yeates on Tuesday ordered that the children be sent home with their parents. But the Division of Children and Family Services will provide a variety of services and the court will continue to watch the situation.
DCFS spokeswoman Carol Sisco said later that DCFS will provide in-home services, parenting classes, help with housekeeping skills, and monitor the children's education as well as get mental health counseling for the adults and possibly the children.
"Both parents agreed to have psychological evaluations," Sisco said.
The children are an 11-year-old girl, a 5-year-old boy, a 3-year-old boy and an infant boy.
The couple was never charged with abusing the children, but the circumstances in which they were living were considered "environmental neglect," Sisco said.
The house has since been cleaned and inspected and is ready for habitation again, according to Salt Lake County Health Department spokeswoman Pam Davenport.
E-mail: lindat@desnews.com