Filthy homes reported to health dept.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Three mothers remain in jail for neglect after police say they found their children living in filthy rodent and roach infested homes. Now, the Marion County Health Department has taken legal action against the property owners.

Tuesday wasn't the first day Marion County health inspectors visited the two homes officers say are unlivable. Marion County Health Department spokesman John Althardt said there have been various complaints about both homes.

"The Marion County Health Department involvement with this particular property dates back to April of 2002," said Althardt.

Althardt is talking about 701 North Rochester Avenue. It's where police say they found four children living among roaches and maggots. The health department also responded to complaints in April 2005, May 2007, October 2008 and May 2009 all for trash in the yard. Early Sunday morning, police arrested two mothers who shared the home: Tiffney Johnson and Jamie Presley.

"One of these properties especially where children are allowed to stay is one too many," said Althardt.

But, police say they found another filthy home just hours later and a few blocks away at 655 North Alton Avenue. Two children were living in the home. Police arrested their mother Susan Hensley.

The owner of the North Alton property, Scott Smith said, "Just last month I got a note from him, from my property company saying that we got a good family in there renting it and I've seen, I've been getting rent on a monthly basis with no problem."

Smith said Lifetime Properties was managing the home for him. But the health department now has a warrant to enter the home and document the filth. The Marion County Health Department will then take the pictures to court Thursday, August 6 when they will ask the court permission to enter the house to clean it.

"Believe me I want to make sure that it is taken care of that's not these are not the calls that I like you know, I like hearing that my tenants are happy and that everybody is fine," said Smith.

A representative of Lifetime Properties said the home on North Alton Avenue will be boarded up Tuesday and they will work to clean it.

As for Tiffney Johnson and Jamie Presley, they are scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning. Susan Hensley is scheduled for a Thursday morning court date. That's when these mothers will hear the formal charges they are facing.