Parents Arrested After Neglecting Daughter’s 17 Rotten Teeth: Officials

(Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A Florida couple were arrested after failing to treat their daughter’s rotting teeth despite offers from school officials.

For months, officials at a school in Southport offered to give help to Jeremie Ervin Maloy, 31, and Cynthia Grace Maloy, 32, after they found that the child, whose name was not released, needed 17 rotten teeth removed. They didn’t seek treatment, prompting Bay County Sheriff’s Office officials to step in, according to the News Herald.

Jeremie and Cynthia Maloy, (Bay County Sheriff's Office)

They appeared in court on Monday, Nov.6, and they were told not to have contact with the child except at the direction of a judge.

“On each of these visits, (school officials) offered to arrange transportation for the Maloys to tend to the child’s dental needs,” officers wrote in a statement. “The Maloys never took advantage of this offer for the sake of the child, but Cynthia Maloy did ask for rides to the nearby dollar store to buy cigarettes and food.”

School authorities went to the Maloys’ home several times to offer assistance.

The child came to school in early 2016 with “severely decayed teeth,” sheriff’s officials said.

“When asked why necessary extractions were not performed, Cynthia and her husband, Jeremie, gave vague excuses about changes in insurance and a lack of transportation,” officers added. ”Throughout this time, Jeremie admitted that he was aware of the child’s decayed teeth and that his wife was having difficulty making necessary appointments.”

Teachers said that the child complained daily about tooth pain and had to eat soft foods, WJHG reported.

They were arrested Nov. 3.