32-year-old Samuel Myers and 35-year-old Sara Myers were sentenced Wednesday in Mahoning County Court for five counts of child endangering each.

A shopper outside a Niles department store wrote down the license number of an SUV and called the police after noticing a young teenage boy who appeared to be bruised in October of 2022. The couple was charged after a police investigation found the North Raccoon Avenue family spoke with the children at the house, ages 13, 7, and 5. The thirteen-year-old boy had bruising and scratches along the length of both arms, as well as cuts on his legs. Police reported the teen appeared to be malnourished.

During the sentencing Wednesday, Mahoning County Children Services Board said the couple no longer has custody of the 13-year-old boy.

The attorney for Samuel told the judge he admits to being a failure as a father.

Samuel, who spoke to the court, said he was remorseful and trying to change his life. 

According to Samuel, the 13-year-old stepson has autism. 

Sara told the court she was too proud to ask for help and apologized for what happened.

Samuel and Sara was ordered to 15 months in prison.

The couple was ordered to have no contact with the 13-year-old boy, but were granted supervised visits with the 7 and 5 year-old, who are with CSB.

Officers found dog feces throughout the home, including the kitchen and the children's bedroom.

The house was dirty, and the floor was extremely sticky, according to the police report.

Police say dog feces were found in the house including in the kitchen and the children's bedrooms. Police located six dogs in the house and described them as being "skin and bones."