When a Kentucky landlord went to check on a recently vacated apartment, they could not believe their eyes. The landlord walked into the residence in the Saddlebrook Apartment Complex in Richmond on March 9, 2026, and instantly became concerned. Casey Farthing and Stephanie Harmer lived in the home with their three children, ages 8, 9, and 5. The landlord called the police for a welfare check, and what authorities reportedly discovered in the apartment looked like more trouble in the making.
The couple left their home in ‘deplorable conditions.‘
According to court documents obtained by Fox 56, Farthing and Harmer moved out of the apartment and allegedly left it filthy. Police noted finding dirty diapers, human feces, trash, and dried food throughout the roach-infested apartment. Police visited the new apartment Farthing moved into after vacating the original apartment the week prior. Although it did not appear “as severe” as the former residence, sadly, police still noted finding trash and feces throughout.
The parents allegedly locked their children in a closet.
Farthing and Harmer have three children. Their two boys, 8 and 9, are autistic and nonverbal. They also share a 5-year-old daughter. The young girl reportedly told investigators she could move freely in the home. But she added, “Mommy and daddy lock the boys in the closet when they’re bad.” Investigators noted one of the boys’ fingers was covered in dried blood and he had a broken fingernail, as if he’d tried to claw his way out.
The mother apparently became overwhelmed by the mess.
Harmer had a sob story for the police and allegedly said she’d become overwhelmed by the mess and stopped cleaning up completely, Fox 56 reported. Instead of caring for her children’s needs, she reportedly never brushed their teeth, and all three still wore diapers. Court documents obtained by the news outlet note all three children were removed from their parents’ care following the incident.
The parents denied putting a lock on the closet door.
According to court documents obtained by Fox 56, Farthing and Harmer told police the lock they found on the closet door was there when they moved in. They also denied locking their children inside the closet. Their landlord denied putting a lock on the door before the couple moved in.
About a month before their arrest, Farthing posted a Facebook birthday wish for Harmer. He called his wife his “secret keeper,” which, knowing what we know now, sounds downright creepy.
“Happy birthday to my wife, my partner, my secret keeper, and mother of my children. I couldn’t do this without you baby, not even close,” he wrote in the post. “Happy birthday Stephanie Farthing I love you.”
Richmond police officers arrested Farthing and Harmer, who each face charges of first-degree criminal abuse, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, and first-degree criminal mischief, per Fox 56. A judge set their bond at $25,000 each.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
