Human remains found in livestock pen; couple charged with murder: Step inside their 'deplorable' home

KANSAS CITY, Kansas -- Michael and Heather Jones of Kansas are charged with murder after police found human remains in a livestock pen at their home in Kansas City on Thanksgiving. Police believe Michael Jones killed their seven-year-old son Adrian inside the home. FOX4KC crews stepped inside that home, and found deplorable conditions.

Heather Jones made her first appearance in court on Monday, December 14th to face the murder charge in connection with her stepson.

Michael and Heather Jones

The judge read Jones her charges and set her next court date for Tuesday, December 22nd. She was not required to enter a plea on Monday.

Since Michael and Heather Jones are being held in jail, the property owners felt safe enough to go check out the house -- and FOX4KC crews were invited along.

"I was shocked and disgusted. It took my breath away," Jennifer Hoevers, the property owner said.

Dead mice, syringes, pornographic videos and rat poison were found littered throughout the home -- along with dirty clothes, cages full of rats and a smell that can only be described as stomach-turning.

"Fast food wrappers every where. There's milk -- rotting food everywhere," Hoevers said.

Hoevers said she had been working up the courage to come back to the home after news broke that the couple to whom she was renting was charged with first degree murder.

"I think I was in shock for the first few days. Kind of in denial," Hoevers said.

Hoevers said she began renting the home to Michael and Heather Jones a year-and-a-half ago. She said they seemed like a nice family who showed interest in buying the home eventually.

"They were very polite, respectful. Didn't see any issues with them," Hoevers recalled.

On Monday, as she walked through the home, she saw a very different side of this couple.

"I don't understand it at all," Hoevers added. "Having little kids myself, I don't know how anybody could allow their kids to live like this."

The livestock pen that held chickens and several large pigs is where police found human remains.

Although the Wyandotte County coroner has not formally confirmed the remains are seven-year-old Adrian's, both Heather and Michael Jones have been charged with murder in his death.

Seven-year-old Adrian

"I guess you never really know people," Hoevers said.

Hoevers is now trying to pick up the pieces. The once $500,000 property is unrecognizable.

"We put our entire life-savings into our house. We had a lot of hopes and dreams for it. We wanted someone else to enjoy it. We saw they had kids. Seemed like they would be a good family to try and enjoy it also. It's sad," Hoevers said.

The Hoevers family has started a GoFundMe page, if anyone feels compelled to donate to help them erase the memory of this tragedy.