Children found living in filthy camper after couple arrested for shoplifting, drugs

A Rogersville couple who were arrested Dec. 21 for shoplifting and drug possession were later charged with child abuse/negelct after two children we’re found unattended living in a camper in filthy conditions.

The youngest child, who is 2-years-old, was suffering a burn to her arm from a wood burning stove in the camper. A third person who resides in the camper but was serving jail time on weekends was also charged with child abuse/neglect.

On Saturday, Dec. 21 around 12:46 p.m. the HCSO responded to the Dollar General store on Highway 11W just west of Rogersville where the store manager reported that Angel Richelle Gilliam, 48, of Rogersville, had placed two lighters valued at $10 in her jacket pocket.

Deputy Alexis Laney reported that she located one lighter in Gilliam’s possession, and Gilliam stated she’d given the other lighter to Cody Allen Slone, 33, who was outside in the car.

Deputy Austin McGinnis stated in his report that upon his arrival Slone was detained. McGinnis reportedly observed surveillance video which showed Slone place merchandise in his hoodie and right pants pocket.

Upon searching the area where Slone was located at the time deputies arrived McGinnis reportedly found six packs of Pokemon cards, a phone charger, and a pack of batteries valued at $60. In the vehicle McGinnis located a small baggie containing.42 grams of meth.

Slone was arrested and charged with shoplifting and meth possession.

Gilliam was arrested for shoplifting and two probation violation warrants stemming from a conviction in 2023 for felony theft and felony vandalism. Upon arrival at jail Gilliam was additionally charged with possession of legend drugs and prescription violation after she admitted to being in possession of eight Pregabalin pills and a Subooxone strip.

A third person who drove to the store with Slone and Gilliam wasn’t arrested, and drove the vehicle back to their home on Rt. 70N and gave the car keys to a neighbor. Upon learning the couple had been arrested the neighbor called police and reported two children ages 2 and 15 being unattended in a camper on Rt. 70N where they reside.

The neighbor reported she didn’t realize the children were left unattended when Slone and Gilliam left the residence that day around 9-10 a.m.

Laney reported that she observed a large burn on the 2-year-old child’s right arm from the wood burning stove in the camper.

“Both juveniles were dirty and had matted hair,” Laney stated in her report. “The 2-year-old had a soiled diaper that was full. Upon entering the camper to look at the conditions I immediately smelled a strong odor of ammonia from cats in and outside the camper. There was a big ax on the floor where the juveniles could get hold of it.”

Laney added, “There was a large wood burner in the middle of the camper where the two-year-old had burned herself. Drug paraphernalia was laying in reach of the juveniles. The camper also had trash scattered around everywhere. The juveniles did not have beds. Only mattresses on the camper floor. There were dirty dishes and rotting food throughout the camper. The camper didn’t have running water and little or no food.”

During the investigation Laney discovered that Shawn Ray Hunt, 49, of Rogersville also resides in the camper, is aware of the conditions, and is currently serving 10 days in jail on weekends stemming from a guilty plea in November to drug possession and resisting arrest. The mother of the children is also currently incarcerated on drug charges, and Gilliam and Slone were watching the children while Hunt and the mother are in jail.

Gilliam, Slone and Hunt were each charged with child abuse/neglect of a child under 8, and Child abuse/neglect of a child 9-17.

All three were arraigned Dec. 23 in Hawkins County Sessions Court and ordered held without bond pending their next court appearance Jan. 6.