Hearings Postponed For Parents Accused Of Filthy Living Conditions

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Problems for Dean Payne and his common-law wife Michole Persinger began inside the house they shared with their six children in Troy Hill.

Zone 1 Police Commander Rashall Brackeny described the family's living conditions on Lowrie Street in Troy Hill.

"There was no toilet paper and the children had been instructed to use curtains to wipe themselves," she said. "The floor that they slept on was urine and water-soaked."

Last month, Payne was arrested for endangering the welfare of children and jailed on $20,000 straight bond, which he was unable to post. Persinger was already in jail facing the same charges.

Both appeared in city court. Payne's attorney told the judge Payne has a substance abuse problem and asked that his hearing be waived.

The judge said no, fearing he would attempt to see his children.

Persinger is out of jail, but her public defender was not permitted to represent both of them.

Both hearings ended up being postponed until next week, but KDKA tried to catch up with the mother outside of city court.

"So Michole, can you tell us about what happened with the kids?" asked KDKA's Brenda Waters.

"No comment," she responded.

At one point though, her father chimed in with answers.

"Can't do this over the news," he said. "Kids are well taken care of; they are at their sister's house. And the other four are with CYF."

The couple will be back in city court next Wednesday for their joint hearing.

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