Toddler Found Covered In Cockroaches, Smelling Of Feces In Filthy Car; Couple Arrested

A 2-year-old child was found covered in feces and cockroaches during a traffic stop that was prompted by a reckless driver in Florida.

The driver and another woman were arrested after the child was found in "squalid" conditions, officials reportedly said Wednesday.

Deputies started following a Chevrolet sedan late Tuesday night after receiving reports about a reckless driver. The car was pulled over during a traffic stop on U.S. 1 in Marathon, according to WFLA News Channel 8.

Zachary Sousa Engren, 22, was identified as the man behind the wheel. Jillian Larae Meyers, 20, was also in the car along with an unidentified 24-year-old man and the toddler boy.

The vehicle was "filthy" and "laden with used food containers, clothes, and trash," Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Adam Linhardt said, as per the outlet.

Boxes with reptiles and insects were also found in the trunk of the car, Linhardt added.

The child was found sitting in a car seat and smelling of feces. Deputies also saw roaches crawling over the toddler.

All three adults found in the car said they were living inside the vehicle, WPLG Local 10 reported.

The couple, Engren and Meyers, told deputies that they were taking care of the child but gave conflicting stories about the last time the boy was fed. Deputies also did not find any diapers in the car.

"Both suspects said the child was in their care and stated they had diapers, but deputies found no diapers in the car," Linhardt added. "Both gave conflicting stories as to when the child last ate. All three adults said they were living in the vehicle."

Deputies also recovered a .40-caliber Glock handgun under the passenger seat and some marijuana.

Engren and Meyers were arrested but the 24-year-old man was not. The 24-year-old said he was not aware of the gun or the drugs inside the car. He also told deputies that he and the couple were in the Florida Keys to "collect reptiles and insects," the sheriff's office said.

The couple was charged with child abuse, possession of marijuana, possession of synthetic marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia, officials said.

The toddler was removed from their car and put in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families.