Pocono News Section

Exclusive: Body Found In 'Deplorable' Poconos House

Exclusive: Body Found In 'Deplorable' Poconos House - Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 9:32PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Tuesday, Feb 5, 2008 @09:32pm EST

TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY- Police say the home was unfit for children. HAZMAT crews, state police and local law enforcement spent hours outside the residence located at Schoch Mill and Crestwood Roads in a secluded section of the Brier Crest Woods development off Route 903.

It's where a body was found, add to that a full-blown laboratory and substandard living conditions inside.

Police say the body was that of a man who owned the home with his common-law wife. She apparently made the discovery around nine o'clock Tuesday morning, according to detectives. Police said there did not appear to be foul play. They said pictures will be sent to the Monroe County District Attorney's Office after what they found inside.

"You can't walk in the home. You can't open the doors. There's clutter everywhere," Detective Sergeant Kenneth Lenning said.

Police described the place a "hell hole," and the second worst a veteran officer says he's seen in his career. Investigators were reportedly stopped in their tracks inside, having to wade through trash, rotting food, clutter and animal feces. They then found an elaborate chemistry set-up, at first believed to be a meth lab, according to officers outside the home. The state police Clandestine Laboratory Response Team took over that part of the investigation.

"They dismantled some lab equipment and then there's another team that will take some of the chemicals that are hazardous and dispose of them," Det. Sgt. Lenning said.

Police said two children were removed from the home and placed in protective custody. Officials said several neglected animals were taken from the property.

Neighbors were pretty stunned to see the activity outside.

"I usually ride around and check things out and see if everything is alright and rode by and I couldn't believe what was happening," John Lambert said.

The district attorney will decide if charges will be filed against the unidentified female adult who lived in the home. She's apparently staying elsewhere.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday morning at Pocono Medical Center.