DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. – The Steelton couple who lived in their home in conditions unfit for human habitation with 11 children, entered a negotiated plea in Dauphin County Court today. Takeya and Tyree Fluellen plead guilty to a laundry list of child endangerment charges.
Under the plea deal the Fluellens would be sentenced to one to two years in prison plus 8 years probation. But the judge hearing the case, has not decided whether she will accept the deal. It will be weeks before she makes a final decision.
Last July, Dauphin County Children and Youth, along with borough police, did a welfare check at Fluellen’s home in the 500 block of North 2nd Street.
They discovered the home was full of trash, feces, flies and raw meat. There were multiple unidentified bugs throughout the residence with feces on the floor. Officers also saw maggots overflowing in the trash cans with both the toilets and bath tubs full to the rim with feces.
Six of the couple’s 11 children were identified through the Department of Health as contracting Shigella which is a bacteria that causes diarrhea. It is caused by multiple persons living in close quarters and poor sanitation.
Takeya Fluellen fled the area to avoid arrest with one of the children was later apprehended U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia
Under the plea deal the Fluellens would be sentenced to one to two years in prison plus 8 years probation. But the judge hearing the case, has not decided whether she will accept the deal.
