Police find kids living with no running water in Jamestown

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WIVB) — Tuesday evening in Jamestown, according to the Jamestown police department, three people were arrested and two children were found living in deplorable conditions.

Police were assisting a probation officer with a home visit for Michael Melendez Bane, 45, when they allegedly found meth, a digital scale, packaging material and a rifle with a defaced serial number.

Bane, who’s a convicted felon, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminally using drug paraphernalia.

While inside the residence, police determined there was no running water, garbage and old food throughout, and no bed for the children.

“This made it nearly impossible to walk through the apartment and unsafe for any children to

be living there,” police said.

The children’s mother, Marissa Morris, 34, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. James Morris, 29, who police said was violating a stay-away order of protection, was found hiding in a closet in the residence. He was charged with criminal contempt.

Following the arrests, all three were taken to the Jamestown city jail pending arraignment.

Evan Anstey is an Associated Press Award, JANY Award and Emmy-nominated digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter .