Three Sentenced for Keeping Children in 'Deplorable' Conditions

Parents and grandmother face prison time after authorities found children living in squalor in Manchester home.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:25pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a dirty, damaged child's toy, conceptually representing the neglect and abuse suffered by the children in this case.A harrowing glimpse into the squalid conditions that five young children were forced to endure, exposing the urgent need for better child welfare oversight.Manchester Today

Three people have been sentenced to prison for keeping five children, ages 2 to 6, in what police described as 'deplorable' living conditions at a home in Manchester, New Hampshire. The children's father, Eddie King, was sentenced to 4 to 8 years in prison, while the mother, Alicia King, received 2 years and the grandmother, Lori Harmon, received 1.5 years. All three pleaded guilty to various charges related to the case.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of child neglect and abuse, even in developed countries like the United States. The discovery of the children living in squalor raises questions about how such conditions can persist and what more can be done to protect vulnerable youth.

The details

According to investigators, when police arrived at the Manchester apartment in September 2021, they found trash covering the floor and feces and moldy food by the children's beds. Authorities also learned that Eddie King had shot one of the children in the chest with a pellet gun. The three adults pleaded guilty to various charges related to the case in the fall.

  • The children were found living in the deplorable conditions in September 2021.
  • The three adults pleaded guilty to charges in the fall of 2021.
  • The sentencing took place on April 6, 2026.

The players

Eddie King

The father of the five children, who was sentenced to 4 to 8 years in prison for his role in the case.

Alicia King

The mother of the five children, who was sentenced to 2 years in prison.

Lori Harmon

The grandmother of the five children, who was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This case serves as a tragic reminder of the need for stronger oversight and support systems to protect children from neglect and abuse, even in seemingly stable home environments. The lengthy sentences handed down to the adults involved underscore the severity of the situation and the justice system's commitment to holding perpetrators accountable.