Probable cause statements cite door hardware, empty shelves and children’s accounts.
ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Police said a pair of St. Charles County adults confined children and restricted food inside their home, a pattern detectives documented over multiple checks before arresting Amberly K. Britton and Mark A. Myers on child endangerment allegations this week.
Investigators called the case a methodical build. Over weeks, officers returned with child welfare staff, photographed locking devices, and recorded interviews in which minors described hunger and rules that limited kitchen access, according to police. The arrests followed a series of home visits that police said showed consistency in conditions and statements. Prosecutors are reviewing the file and weighing additional charges based on medical assessments and items seized during a search.
Detectives said the first contact stemmed from a welfare request early in the school term. Inside, officers noted interior door locks and hardware on pantry cabinets. A supervisor ordered follow-up checks, according to the police account. During those visits, investigators said they observed minimal food and signs that older children were tasked with caring for younger ones. The minors told interviewers they were punished for taking food without permission and were often told not to speak during visits. A detective’s report described “prolonged deprivation,” a phrase the department later echoed in a short briefing.
Medical staff who examined the children documented weight loss and other indicators associated with limited nutrition, police said. The investigative team collected growth charts, school attendance notes and photos of posted rules inside the home. Officers also seized locking mechanisms and other items during a search. Jail logs list Britton and Myers on preliminary child endangerment counts; a separate drug-related allegation appears in custody summaries tied to Myers. Authorities did not release the children’s ages, citing privacy protections. No defense attorney statements were available as of Friday afternoon.
Neighbors reported seeing frequent squad cars in recent weeks. One resident said officers escorted children to waiting vehicles on the day of the arrests. The county’s child welfare agency confirmed the minors were placed into protective care under a judge’s order. Police said earlier contacts with the household, if any, are being reviewed as part of a broader timeline reconstruction. The department added that detectives sought consultation from pediatric specialists who advise on neglect cases and will continue to relay updates through the prosecutor’s office.
Officials said the next steps include a first court appearance and potential bond setting early next week. Prosecutors will then decide whether to add counts based on the complete medical file and lab results. A separate family court proceeding will address placement and services for the children. Police expect to release a summary of charges and hearing dates once the court’s docket is posted.
By evening, yellow evidence seals remained on the front door and a porch light glowed over a quiet block. A neighbor described the mood as “stunned and sad,” while an officer at the scene said only that “the children are safe and getting care.”
As of late Friday, both adults remained jailed. A bond hearing is anticipated early next week, with additional filings to follow.
Author note: Last updated December 5, 2025.