3 charged after police find children living in deplorable conditions with drugs, syringe within reach

PITTSBURGH — Three people were arrested -- including a father and son -- after police said officers found children living in deplorable conditions with drugs in the home.

According to a police criminal complaint, John Malick, Zackary Malick and Nicole Talerico were arrested Friday morning after Pittsburgh police executed a search warrant at a home on California Avenue.

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Inside the home, police said they found two children living in what they described as “severely deplorable” living conditions and drugs within their reach.

Investigators said they found a piece of crack cocaine, pills, empty stamp bags and a crack cocaine pipe.

In addition, officers found trash and animal feces on the floor, a hypodermic syringe next to a sippy cup and the stamp bags close to toys.

While searching the house, police said one of the children told them multiple times that she was hungry, according to the criminal complaint. The officer looked inside the refrigerator and saw only water and hot dogs.

Children, Youth and Families (CYF) was called in to remove the children from that home.

All three suspects are behind bars. They are each charged with endangering the welfare of children and drug possession.

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