Adams family has child neglect charges dropped:Parents worry their reputation will remain damaged

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Tammy Adams, shown holding one of her six children, Dalton, says charges of child neglect deeply hurt her family.

Child neglect charges were dismissed this week against a Warren Street couple accused of raising their children in inadequate conditions.

The defendants, Lucky and Tammy Adams, had their five counts of child neglect dismissed by General Sessions Judge Larry Ross at the request of prosecutors Tuesday. They had been charged with one count of child neglect for each of their five children who were present when lawmen entered their home Jan. 2 to answer a domestic call. They are the parents of six. The oldest was out of town at the time.

During his visit to the home, McMinnville patrolman Mark Mara said he observed a situation which caused him to level the misdemeanor charges. Specifically, Mara said the only heat he found in the house was provided by a cook stove and that the children did not have blankets. He also said there was little food.

The Adams denied Mara’s claim, pointing to a gas furnace they say is in full operation. They say the draftiness was caused by police leaving the doors open during their visit. They also say their children are well cared for and had blankets, food and heat. As for the condition of the house, the Adams say they had just purchased the home and are in the process of fixing it up.

The Adams admitted there was a party which got a little out of hand that night, with Mrs. Adams saying the couple, who rarely drinks, made the mistake of drinking that night. A baby-sitter was present to watch the children during the party, the Adams noted.

Mr. Adams entered a guilty plea to the charge of simple assault for hitting his wife. That’s the call which led to the police inspection of the home. He was given a six-month probationary sentence and must attend anger management classes.

According to District Attorney General Dale Potter, the case simply could not have been prosecuted successfully given the alleged facts.

“This case did not fit the criteria you have to have to prove child neglect,” Potter said.

Even with the dismissal of the charges, the Adams say their reputation has been damaged by the mere allegations against them.

“We’re good parents,” Mrs. Adams said in an earlier interview. “This has really hurt us, but anyone who knew us knew this couldn’t be true.”