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WEBVTT A POLICE OFFICER CAME TO HISRESCUE AND HIS PARENTS WERECHARGED.TODAY, THEY ACCEPTEDRESPONSIBILITY.HE ASKED PEOPLE TO BUY THE TOYSSO THAT HE COULD HAVE MONEY FORFOOD.THESE WERE THE CONDITIONS INSIDEHIS HOUSE AT THE TIME.FRANKLIN POLICE DISCOVERED THESQUALOR AFTER CARING FOR, FREEEATING, AND PRAYING WITH THELITTLE BOY.THEY EACH PLEADED GUILTY TO TWOCOUNTS OF CHILD ENDANGERING.>> SHE'S NOT DENYING ANYTHING,SHE IS EXPECTING RESPONSIBILITY.WE ALL HAVE PROBLEMS IN OUR LIFEAND I THINK IT WAS A VERY MATURETHING FOR HER TO DO.>> MEDICAL ISSUES ARE WHAT THEYSAY LED TO THE CONDITION OF HISCLIENTS HOME.>> YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN AWAY THEPHOTOS.THIS IS GOING TO BE A REALLY BIGTIME IN HER LIFE THAT SHE'SGOING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARDAND I THINK THIS WAS THECATALYST THAT SHE NEEDED.>> SHE COULD SEE HER SEVENCHILDREN AS EARLY AS TONIGHT.THE JUDGE LIFTED THE PROTECTIONORDERS.CHILDREN'S SERVICES WILL ALLOWFOR TWO HOURS OF SUPERVISEDVISITS A WEEK FOR EACH OF THEM.THE GOAL WILL BE TO REUNIFY THEFAMILY.>> CPS RECOMMENDS AND IS ON TOPOF IT.SHE BOUGHT EVERYTHING CLOSE ANDIS MAKING THE HOUSE ASHOSPITABLE AS POSSIBLE FOR THECHILDREN.>> THE CHILDREN HAVE BEENSTAYING WITH HER GRANDPARENTS.IT WILL BE SENTENCED LATER THIS

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Franklin parents took responsibility for their actions more than a month after their 7-year-old son was found alone, in front of a drug store, trying to peddle his stuffed animal. The parents of a boy who made headlines when he was found trying to sell his stuffed animal for food have pleaded guilty to two counts of child endangerment. Michael and Tammi Bethel, each pleaded guilty to two counts of child endangering. They each face up to six months in jail. A judge set sentencing for Sept. 27. Franklin police said they received a call Aug. 7 that a young boy was wandering in downtown Franklin alone. When an officer arrived, police said, the 7-year-old was peddling his toy in front of a drugstore to get money for food. Officer Steve Dunham took the child to a nearby Subway to get something to eat, then took him back to the Franklin Police Department. Officers then went to his home. Inside they said they found other children living in squalor. The Bethels were charged, and all the siblings were taken from the home. The children have been staying with other relatives. "She has a few health concerns, a few mitigating health issues that led to the condition of the house that most people weren't aware of and that also is the reason she pled guilty," defense attorney David Chicarelli said. "You can't explain away the photos and that's not what she was trying to do, but I think this is going to be a really big time in her life that she's going to be able to move forward, and I think this was the catalyst that she needed." Chicarelli said his client has not been able to see her children, but pleading guilty moves the case forward and opens the door for visitation. The judge lifted the protection order and Children Services will allow each parent two hours a week of supervised visits, possibly as soon as Friday evening, Chicarelli said. During the last month, Chicarelli said Tammi Bethel has taken steps toward a healthier lifestyle. He said, although the children were never starving, there is more food in the house and new clothes for the kids to wear. "The goal is obviously for her to have the children back. Obviously if it's following the CPS case plan, the reunification should be basically in motion at this point," Chicarelli said.