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Two babies found living in filth inside RV in Palatka, father arrested

PALATKA, Fla. — On Thursday the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a father found living with two small children in abhorrent conditions.

Deputies responded to a mobile home in East Palatka Mar. 24 to execute an unrelated arrest warrant out of Lake County for Owen Watson, 34, of St. Augustine. Investigators say when they arrived, they discovered Watson had been living on the property for the past six weeks with his one and two-year-old children.

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Deputies noted several shocking discoveries at the home.

According to an arrest report, the mobile home had no running water, electricity, or working septic system. The inside of the trailer smelled of feces and dirt and several gallon jugs of yellow liquid that appeared to be urine were found underneath the trailer.

PCSO said the toddler was wearing an extremely soiled diaper. The one-year-old was covered in peanut butter and feces and had sores on his legs. There was no formula, milk, or water in the home.

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Watson‘s mother admitted to deputies that she had been aware of the conditions of the home for weeks and had tried to help, telling investigators she took the children on weekends. However, deputies say she did not report the neglect until Wednesday morning.

Watson was arrested and charged with two counts of child neglect in addition to his warrant from St. Johns County. He was taken to the Putnam County Jail and held without bond.

An arrest report states that the children’s mother is currently incarcerated.

PCSO says charges against Watson’s mother will be forwarded to the state attorney’s office for failing to report the neglect.

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Samantha Mathers

Samantha Mathers, Action News Jax

Samantha Mathers is a digital reporter and content creator for Action News Jax.