Janesville Parents Facing Multiple Felony Neglect Charges After Toddler Found Wandering Diaper Only In Wisconsin Neighborhood

Two Janesville parents face child neglect charges after a 2 year old was found wandering alone. Police later discovered drugs and hazardous conditions in the home.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 4:24 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WMTV

Emergency Discovery on Center Avenue

A distressing scene unfolded in a Janesville neighborhood on Sunday when multiple witnesses reported a two year old girl walking alone near Center Avenue. Callers informed emergency dispatchers that the toddler was clad only in a dirty diaper, lacked shoes or clothing, and appeared to be covered in filth and blood. According to the criminal complaint, a loose dog was trailing the child as she moved through the area. Citizens who intervened noted that the girl seemed terrified and exhibited visible cuts and bruises on her arms, prompting an immediate response from medical teams who transported her to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

Household Conditions and Parental Denial

Law enforcement officials eventually tracked the child's origins to a nearby residence where they encountered the father, identified as 37 year old Justin Paul. Upon entering the home, officers discovered two more children, ages four and 12, living in a state of significant distress. The four year old girl reportedly had dried red substances on her arms and nose. When questioned by authorities, Paul dismissed the concerns, claiming the marks were merely stains from food and drink rather than blood. This initial confrontation led to his arrest and a more thorough protective sweep of the premises by Janesville officers.

Evidence of Narcotics and Severe Neglect

A court authorized search of the property revealed a living environment that investigators described as hazardous and biologically unsafe. Officers documented the presence of rotting food, broken glass, animal feces, and trash scattered throughout the living spaces. More alarmingly, forensic testing confirmed the presence of cocaine on top of a gaming console accessible to the children. Further inspection of the kitchen revealed a nearly empty refrigerator emitting a foul odor, while the children reportedly told investigators that their father frequently engaged in physical violence against their mother, 40 year old Catherine Waite.