Bronx Parents Accused Of Neglect Barred From Seeing Children

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Lawyers for a mother and father accused of leaving their 5-year-old child in horrid conditions inside their Bronx apartment said the couple will not testify before a grand jury.

Investigators said a FedEx deliveryman discovered the boy alone last Friday morning in a Kingsbridge Avenue apartment with blood on the walls and insects crawling all over his body. His three older siblings were at school at the time.

A judge on Thursday barred parents Charlotte and Wilfred Lewis from having any contact with their four children.

The couple appeared separately in court. They are charged with neglect.

Mrs. Lewis told reporters that she misses her children and has a lot to say about the situation but her attorney stopped her from saying anything more, 1010 WINS' Juliet Papa reported.

CBS2's cameras were at the Lewis home on Thursday, where trash was seen all over the floor.

Neighbors were still shocked.

"Every week they washing hair, they went to beauty parlor," Mary Paulino said.

Both parents face felony and misdemeanor charges for endangering the welfare of a mentally incompetent person and endangering the welfare of a child.

She is free on bail.

Her husband remains behind bars. Mr. Lewis works for the MTA, and was heard thanking officers for escorting him after the hearing. He was also heard asking his lawyer about eventually returning to his apartment.

The boy and his siblings were placed in the custody of the New York City Administration for Children's Services.

The couple is due back in court on February 13, and they are due in family court in April as well.