Whitley County, KY - The Whitley County Sheriff's Department is reporting that around 3:30 p.m. Monday October 5, 2015, Whitley County Animal Control Officer Wayne Perkins responded to an Old Mill Road residence in the Devil's Creek community regarding a horse complaint. Perkins contacted the sheriff's department after fearing for the safety of children.
Outside the residence was broken glass and a pungent odor. At the residence were three children under the age of four-years-old. Inside the residence were three pigs, three dogs and one rabbit.
Upon investigation, it was determined that the children had been left in the care of 57-year-old James C. Lockaby.
Lockaby had a warrant for his arrest out of Knox County for endangering the welfare of a minor.
Guardians of the children were not present when law enforcement first responded. However, Joshua D. Jenkins, 24, and Aurora S. Jenkins, 22, eventually arrived at the scene. Each were charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.
When Joshua and Aurora Jenkins arrived, they were accompanied by 31-year-old Johnathan Dawson. Through a records search, it was determined that Dawson was wanted for arrest out of Laurel County. He, too, was arrested at the scene.
Social Services responded, assisted in the investigation and placed the children into the care of a relative.
Deputy Jonas Saunders is leading the investigation.
Assisting in the investigation were Sheriff Colan Harrell, Deputy Mike Taylor, Deputy Cody Harrell and Kentucky State Police Trooper Dave Lassiter.
