Parents of Four ND Children Face Felony Child Abuse Charges

MAPLETON, N.D. (AP) — The parents of four children who live in the southeastern North Dakota town of Mapleton face felony child abuse charges after authorities say they discovered the children living in a wet mobile home covered in dirt and mold.

Nathan Roper, of Mapleton, faces three counts, and Misty Byrd, of Dickinson, faces four counts. Each of the counts carries a maximum punishment upon conviction of five years in prison.

A home telephone listing could not be found for either Roper or Byrd, and neither has an attorney listed in court documents. An arrest warrant has been issued for Byrd.

The Forum newspaper reports that investigators say the children lived in Roper's home, which they described as filthy, wet and fly-infested.