A Dubuque, Iowa couple was arrested this week after their one-year-old son was found with his head submerged in a bucket of bleach. The parents, Scott Marcov, 30, and Madelyn Marcov, 28, were residing in a filthy, rodent-ridden home with the toddler and two other children, ages 4 and 6.
According to the police report, the toddler had inadvertently fallen into a bucket filled with bleach water, causing his head to be underwater for an unknown period. The child was found by one of his older siblings, who brought him to the living room, prompting Madelyn Marcov to call 911.
The toddler was immediately transported to a local hospital after exhibiting signs of severe respiratory distress and loss of consciousness, as detailed in the police affidavit. Due to the seriousness of his condition, he was later moved to the University of Iowa Hospital for more specialized care.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Scott Marcov was in the bathroom and Madelyn Marcov was in the living room when the incident took place. As the investigation continued, the police found the family’s living conditions to be appalling. 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 took place in October of the previous year, has been under investigation for the past four months. The couple was arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with child endangerment and neglect of a dependent person resulting in serious injury, according to 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.