Oklahoma dad accused of mistreating 3 kids

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TULSA, Okla., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- An Oklahoma man faced charges Monday that he mistreated his three children, including a little girl police said they found covered in feces in a dog kennel.

Tulsa police were called to the home of William Todd Lewallen, 47, Sunday evening after a neighbor called to report a naked 4-year-old boy from next door was outside screaming, KRMG-FM, Tulsa, reported. Temperatures were in the 40s.

"We heard it when it first started, he started screaming and crying 'Daddy, I'm cold and scared; I'm cold, I'm scared daddy,'" Tulsa's KOTV quoted neighbor Bodan Jacobs as saying.

Officer Leland Ashley said the responding officers found the boy and then spotted an 18-month-old girl naked, covered in feces and locked in a dog cage inside the house.

They kicked in a door to rescue her and while going through the house discovered another naked girl inside with Lewallen passed out in a bed next to her.

Lewallen allegedly told police he had taken a narcotic pain medicine, a muscle relaxer and an anti-seizure medication, and "laid down to take a rest," the radio station said.

Officers said there also was an open beer next to the bed.

"The screaming child in the dog kennel did not wake the defendant nor did the officers kicking the door down to rescue the toddler in the dog cage."

Neighbors said the home had no heat and little food, KRMG said.

Lewallen was arrested for felony child neglect and was held on a $50,000 bond. His next court appearance was set for Nov. 19.

The children were placed in the care of the Department of Human Services.

Police said the children's mother was not considered a suspect.