Newburyport Mom, Grandmother Wanted For Child Endangerment Charges

NEWBURYPORT (CBS) -- A mother and grandmother facing criminal charges after allegedly raising a 7-year-old girl in an unsanitary trash-filled home failed to appear in court Tuesday. The child, who is supposed to be in state custody, is also missing.

Kristen Paquette, 32, and her mother Debra Paquette, 54, were arrested in July after officers who were called to their Strong Street house of squalor.

Officers first went to the home after getting an anonymous tip from the state's child abuse hotline.

The home has since been condemned and the child was taken into DCF custody.

Police believe they are at a campground in either Maine or New Hampshire. Warrants have been issued for their arrest.

DCF said when the mother had legal custody of the child when she left the state, but some time afterwards, DCF was awarded custody.

Each are charged with one count of reckless endangerment of a child.

Police do not believe the child is in danger.