Mother Charged with Child Abuse & Neglect: Children Living in Horrendous Conditions

Mindy Mooney

By Jessie Williams

Thirty-six-year-old Macon County mother, Mindy Michelle Mooney, was charged with three counts of child abuse and neglect after local authorities discovered her children living in horrendous conditions.

According to an affidavit of complaint filed by Macon County Detective Robert Jacoby, he was contacted by a Department of Childrens Services investigator and Sergeant Bryan Emberton, of the Macon County Sheriffs Office, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, to assist them in a child abuse and neglect case at a Highway 52 West residence in Westmoreland.

Upon the detective’s arrival, he learned there were children present inside the residence that gave statements of trash and animal feces being all over the floor, furniture and bedding.

The victims also stated there was no food to eat, and any food in the refrigerator or cabinets was ruined and molded over.

As the detective approached the residence, he observed trash covering the entire floor and a strong odor of animal feces coming from inside the home.

Victims reported physical threats being made by their parents, and their mother telling their step-dad if he hits them to ‘make sure he hits them in the throat.’

The children have been pulled out of the school system and have not attended any kind of educational classes since September 1.

Due to the circumstances of the residence and the condition the children were in, Mooney was charged with three counts of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Her bond was set at $60,000, and she is scheduled to appear in general sessions court on October 15, 2025.