3 Charged After Child Found Wandering in Masury

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Three adults have been charged with child endangerment after a 4-year-old child was found wandering alone in Masury, Ohio. Police discovered deplorable living conditions in the home, including unsanitary rooms, lack of food and water, and multiple children left unattended.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing issues of child neglect and the challenges faced by social services in identifying and intervening in high-risk home environments. It raises questions about the need for better oversight and support systems to protect vulnerable children.

The details

When police responded to a report of a wandering child, they found the 4-year-old outside and were unable to reach the adults in the home for over an hour. Upon entry, they discovered 'deplorable conditions' including multiple children sleeping in one bedroom, inaccessible food, and two dogs locked in a room without water. At least two children had dirty diapers that hadn't been changed. The four children in the home were immediately removed by child services, and three adults - Nancy Dickson, Mark Morris, and Cortney DeJulia - were charged with child endangerment.

• On March 13, 2026, police responded to a report of a 4-year-old child wandering alone in Masury, Ohio around 8:11 a.m.
• After over an hour of trying to reach an adult in the home, Nancy Dickson, 69, came to the door.
• Dickson, Morris, and DeJulia have been charged with child endangerment, with arraignments scheduled for March 19, 2026.

What’s next

The judge will decide on March 19 whether to allow the three adults to be released on bail.