Carthage couple charged after 9 children found in unsafe, unsanitary home

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed felony charges Friday against a Carthage couple who allegedly were keeping nine children in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, according to probable cause statements filed Friday in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Caleb Lombard (DOB 1990) and Amber Lombard (DOB 1990) were each charged with nine counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

A third person, Jazzlin Johnson (DOB 2006) who lived in a camper just west of the Lombards' house was charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child for allowing her child to live in the home.

Arrest warrants were issued for the Lombards with bond set at $50,000 cash or surety for each. A condition of the bond is that they have no contact with children.

The conditions in the home were detailed in the probable cause statements.

From Amber Lombard's probable cause statement:

On April 30, 2026, I, Det. McMain, conducted an investigation at 1402 W. Mound Street, Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri, in reference to unsafe and unsanitary living conditions involving children residing at the residence.

Based on my investigation, I have probable cause to believe that Amber Lombard knowingly acted in a manner that created a substantial risk to the life, body, and health of nine (9) children less than seventeen (17) years of age, in violation of RSMo 568.045, Endangering the Welfare of a Child in the First Degree.

Amber Lombard was identified during the investigation as the primary daily caregiver responsible for the supervision, care, and day-to-day needs of the children residing within the home.

During the execution of a lawful search warrant at the residence, officers observed conditions that were unsafe, unsanitary, and hazardous to human health. The residence contained extensive accumulations of trash, clothing, and decomposing food throughout nearly all living areas. A strong odor consistent with mildew, decay, animal feces, and decomposition was present throughout the home.

Animal feces was observed throughout the residence, including in common living areas and hallways used for daily movement. Large numbers of insects, including cockroaches, were present throughout the residence and actively dispersed when areas were disturbed. Rodent activity was also observed, including rodent feces and live rodent movement within the home.

Food items in advanced stages of decomposition were located throughout the residence, including in the kitchen and basement areas. A basement refrigerator contained spoiled meat in an advanced state of decay, actively leaking fluids onto the floor. A substance consistent with dried blood was also observed on kitchen surfaces.

Structural hazards were present throughout the residence, including a primary bathroom with unstable flooring consisting of loose boards that shifted when stepped on, creating a fall and injury risk. 

Excessive clutter and debris were present throughout the residence, in some areas reaching significant depth, limiting safe movement within the home.

Multiple animals were housed within the residence, including snakes kept in enclosures inside a child's bedroom, as well as numerous other animals located throughout the home and property. In total, more than forty (40) animals were located. There were also deceased animals that were left lying to decompose inside the residence. The presence of these animals, combined with the unsanitary conditions, contributed to an environment hazardous to the health and safety of the children.

Information obtained during the investigation indicated that children residing in the home were frequently sent to school in unclean conditions, wearing the same clothing for extended periods, and exhibiting signs consistent with insect bites and untreated skin conditions. Reports from school personnel further indicated ongoing concerns regarding hygiene and potential medical neglect.

As the primary daily caregiver, Amber Lombard had direct and ongoing responsibility for the care, hygiene, and living conditions of the children within the residence. Despite this responsibility and knowledge of the conditions present in the home, the unsafe and unsanitary environment was allowed to persist.

Based on the totality of the circumstances, Amber Lombard knowingly failed to act to prevent or correct condition that created a substantial risk to the life, body, and health of the children residing in the home.

From Caleb Lombard's probable cause statement:

Caleb Lombard is a resident and caretaker of the children within the home and admitted knowledge of the condition of the residence, stating that the house was a mess and that they were working on it. 

Despite this knowledge, the conditions described above were allowed to persist.

Caleb Lombard's probable cause statement included the same information as the Amber Lombard probable cause statement.