Two additional people arrested for neglect of a dependent

Police said two more people were arrested after children exposed to THC were found living in an unsanitary home in Dubuque. 25-year-old Christopher M. Merz and 30-year-old Haley M. Merz both of Effie, Minn., were arrested at approximately 4:20 a.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of Central Avenue on warrants charging neglect or abandonment of a dependent person. Their arrests follow the Aug. 27 arrest of 31-year-old Christopher M. Brenner of Dubuque on identical charges. Court documents state that Dubuque police began investigating Brenner, Christopher Merz and Haley Merz on June 2, when they responded to a 911 hangup originating from the residence where they lived. Officers discovered the home was “covered with garbage, feces, and maggots.” Iowa Department of Health and Human Services launched an investigation. Haley Merz is the mother of the three children living in the home and Brenner is the biological father. The adults would frequently smoke marijuana in the home with the children present. Two of the children tested positive for exposure to THC. Brenner’s next court appearance is Sept. 10. Christopher and Haley Merz both have court appearances Sept. 18.