A couple from Dubuque, Iowa, were taken into custody this week following the discovery of their one-year-old son with his head submerged in a bucket of bleach. The parents, identified as Scott Marcov, 30, and Madelyn Marcov, 28, were living in a squalid, rodent-infested residence with the toddler and two other children, aged 4 and 6.
According to the police report, the toddler had accidentally fallen into a bucket filled with bleach water, resulting in his head being underwater for an unspecified duration. The child was discovered by one of his older siblings, who carried him to the living room. This prompted Madelyn Marcov to dial 911.
The toddler was immediately rushed to a local hospital after showing signs of severe respiratory distress and loss of consciousness, as stated in the police affidavit. Due to the severity of his condition, he was later transferred to the University of Iowa Hospital for more specialized treatment.
During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that Scott Marcov was in the bathroom and Madelyn Marcov was in the living room when the incident occurred. As the investigation progressed, the police found the family’s living conditions to be deplorable. The officers reported seeing live mice, a dead mouse on the kitchen floor, and a soiled diaper inside a cooking pot on the kitchen counter.
The incident, which occurred in October of the previous year, has been under investigation for the past four months. The couple was apprehended early Tuesday morning and charged with child endangerment and neglect of a dependent person resulting in serious injury, as per the Dubuque Police Department.
Both Scott and Madelyn Marcov were released after posting a $20,000 bond each. The police report did not provide an update on the toddler’s current condition.