By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Heather Havens

Kayla Marie Hiler

WALKERTON — Two people were recently arrested in Marshall County after six children in their care were being unsupervised and not taken to school.

Kayla Marie Hiler, 29, Walkerton, is charged with six counts of neglect of a dependent, all level 6 felonies.

Heather Havens, 46, Walkerton, is charged with three counts of neglect of a dependent, all level 6 felonies.

On April 27, a Marshall County Sheriff’s Department detective was informed by Marshall County’s Division of Family and Children about the neglect of six children, all being under the age of 12 and under Hiler and Havens’ care.

According to court documents, a neighbor expressed concern about the children being unsupervised and not cared for. The neighbor said several of the children broke vehicle windows and also exposed themselves to other children. She also told the detective about two instances where some of the children were improperly dressed for winter weather.

Upon further investigation, the detective learned two of the children were withdrawn from an elementary school on Aug. 13, 2019. The school’s representatives reported on Nov. 19, 2020, that two of the children had missed over 30 days of school, with one repeating kindergarten as a result.

The detective then went to a second elementary school where four of the children had formerly been enrolled. School documents showed all four children had several unexcused attendances and disciplinary records. Upon going to a third elementary school, the detective learned two of the children were currently enrolled there but had attendance and disciplinary issues.

Around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, the detective went to Hiler’s residence and saw three young children playing in the front yard. In an interview with the detective, Hiler said she was currently on house arrest through Marshall County Community Corrections for drug possession. She said the oldest child lived at both her residence and Havens, and that three of the children go between her house and Havens’.

In the interview, Hiler said she had custody of the children, with Havens having a notarized guardianship that has not been before a court. Hiler told the detective she was “trying to get stable and on her feet.”

Upon searching Hiler’s residence, the detective found ducks, a dog, and 22 cats inside the home. The residence was extremely dirty, with trash, dirt and animal droppings inside and around the home.

On May 4, the detective went to an elementary school where the oldest child attended and was told by the assistant principal that the child has many unexcused attendances and about 50 tardies. Havens was the only family member listed as a contact for the child. The assistant principal also said Havens had been uncooperative and used foul language during meetings about the attendance issues.

The detective then spoke with Havens on May 5. Havens said three of the six children stayed with her, two of the children stayed with Hiler and one child stayed with both Havens and Hiler. Court documents state Havens was very uncooperative and upset with the detective asking her questions about the school absences. She also refused to let the detective search her home.

One of the children answered the front door of Havens’ home and the detective noticed a large amount of trash inside the residence.

Hiler and Havens were both booked in the Marshall County Jail on May 11.