Cape Coral couple with seven kids arrested for neglect

CAPE CORAL, Fla. – Two Cape Coral parents are facing child neglect charges after their living conditions were found to be unfit for children, according to the Cape Coral Police Department.

Karleigh Anne Awis and Andrew David Awis are each being charged with seven counts of child neglect.

Cape Coral Police called living conditions at the couple’s home deplorable and completely unsuited for children. Records indicate the two were released from jail Monday afternoon.

Neighbors said they were concerned for the children living there.

“It breaks my heart,” said neighbor Ann Kotz. “They’ve got seven children and, as I understand it, another one on the way. I don’t understand how they can live in that small four-bedroom home with that many kids.”

Kotz recalled one time she stepped in to stop several unsupervised toddlers in diapers from sprinting into a nearby canal.

“There’s gators and snakes and everything else,” Kotz said. “I sure wouldn’t let my kids be running around in their diapers running down the street.”

Several neighbors said the few times they did see the Awis’ interact with their children it was disheartening.

“They scream and yell at the kids. Some of the language is pretty unsavory,” Kotz said. “I wouldn’t talk to an adult that way let alone a very small child.”

Cape Coral Police are expected to release more details regarding their arrests soon. Count on NBC2 to bring you the latest information as it becomes available.

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