(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports a couple from Hamburg are facing felony charges, following an investigation that began in late July. As we previously reported, on July 25th, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office received a report at around 8:53-a.m. on that date, about a small child seen alone near the roadway in the 1700 block of Washington Street, in Hamburg. Deputies discovered a 4-year-old child, with reported developmental disabilities, covered in filth and a mixture of both human and animal feces outside the residence. Deputies located another child inside the home. Both children were taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

Deputies allege that the parents, 26-year-old Dustin Carl Lee Perry, and 26-year-old Lindsey Barbara Marie Hamilton, both of Shenandoah, left the children in the care of relatives with the direction to keep the 4-year-old in a makeshift cage. Deputies located the cage in the home constructed out of a pack and play, a baby gate roof, and zip ties. Deputies allege that the child was able to escape from the device and left the home without waking the occupants. Deputies discovered a second homemade cage where it is alleged that the child was kept in a walk-in closet in a home in Shenandoah. Both Perry and Hamilton were arrested and charged with Felony Felony Neglect or Abandonment of a Dependent Person, and Child Neglect, an aggravated misdemeanor. Several children were removed from the home by the DHS. Both were being held in the Fremont County Jail without bond, pending a court appearance.

Martha Perry-Culley

Elvin Culley

Also as a result of the investigation, on August 9th, 78-year-old Elvin Leroy Culley, and 61-year-old Martha Karen Perry-Culley, both of Hamburg, were arrested and charged with Felony Neglect or Abandonment of a Dependent Person, and Child Neglect, an aggravated misdemeanor. Both were being held in the Fremont County Jail on $10,000 cash-only bonds, each.

Hamburg Rescue, the Iowa Dept. of Health & Human Services, and Shenandoah Police assisted with the investigation.