By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A Salisbury couple were charged this week with abuse and neglect after investigators say they were called late last year for an unresponsive infant and found “deplorable” conditions at the home.

Salisbury Police charged Justin Daryel Poole, 30, and Christina Marie Poole, 24, each with three counts misdemeanor child abuse and three counts misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor/neglect.

Police responded to the couple’s Majolica Road home on Nov. 7, 2015, around 6 a.m. to a call about an unresponsive baby. Rowan County EMS was called and confirmed the baby was already deceased, said Police Capt. Shelia Lingle.

Lingle said the parents called 911 about their 6-month-old boy. There were two other children in the home — a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old — both of whom have since been removed from the home by the Rowan County Department of Social Services.

An arrest warrant said the home was in “deplorable, unsafe and unsanitary” condition.

Lingle said there were piles of trash and clothes inside and outside the home, as well as half-eaten food, rotting food and empty containers in the house.

Lingle said warrants were served Monday.

Justin Poole was convicted in 2008 of attempted trafficking a schedule II substance. He’s also been convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods.