Bond set in child endangerment case

An Ironton couple accused of leaving six children unattended in their home made their first court appearing Thursday in Ironton Municipal Court.

Juanita Jenkins, 39, and Billy Cooper, 27, each pleaded not guilty to six counts of misdemeanor child endangerment.

Judge O. Clark Collins set bond for each at $2,500 cash or surety. Attorney Gene Meadows was appointed to represent Jenkins; Warren Morford was appointed to represent Cooper.

A preliminary hearing was set for Dec. 4.

The couple was arrested Wednesday following a complaint by a child protective services worker who was making a home visit. According to Ironton police, the worker arrived at the home in the 1800 block of South Fifth Street and a 9-year-old answered the door.

There were six children in the home, ranging in age from 1 to 9, according to police, three of those belonging to Jenkins.

The maximum penalty for a first-degree misdemeanor is 180 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.