WCSO Press Release 4-9-12

Incident: Child Neglect
Date of Incident: 4 April 2012
Location: 400 block of Keene Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Martine Marcellus, 21, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 4 April 2012 at 11:15 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of young children left alone at a residence in the 400 block of Keene Avenue. Upon arrival, the deputy learned that Martine Marcellus had left her two children, a four and two year old, alone unattended. The children were discovered when a maintenance man came to the house to complete some repairs. The deputy observed what could be describe as squalor like conditions with foul smelling rotten food left out. The deputy discovered that the two year old was fitted with a diaper that had gone quite a while without a change.

The children’s mother returned at 1:33 PM and did not appear to understand there was a problem. The deputy placed the mother, Martine Marcellus, under arrest for the neglect of her children. Marcellus was transported to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Marcellus in the Detention Center in lieu of $100,000.00 bond.

The Department of Social Services assisted with placement of the children.

Charges: Child Neglect
Unattended Children
Contributing to the Condition of a Child