TROY – More than three months after getting kicked out of a homeless shelter, a couple living in a tent behind Wal-Mart have been charged for child endangerment for “tossing” a newborn into the air and feeding it garlic bread.

According to an affidavit, detectives with the Lincoln County Special Investigations Unit were notified that Michael John Gore and Amanda Nicole Zeppo were kicked out of a homeless shelter for selling narcotics, and were living with a baby in a tent behind Walmart in August. Detectives later located Gore and Zeppo at a nearby park Aug. 30 where they were questioned about their suspicious conduct and allegations from several witnesses of mistreating the newborn.

“During the initial contact (with police), witness one contacted the detectives and disclosed witnessing (Gore) abuse the victim’s feet, pulling the victim by (victim’s) arm and throwing the victim up in the air, spinning victim head over heels in the air,” the affidavit states.

Additionally, a witness specified that Zeppo puts “inappropriate things” such as garlic bread in the baby’s mouth causing him to choke.

At the homeless shelter, law enforcement spoke with additional witnesses who described Gore as “manipulative and abusive to the victim.”

“Witness two and witness three advised (Gore) was aware the victim had a medical condition (hydrocephalus) where an impact to the victim’s head would cause serious complications, injury, or death to the victim,” per court records.

Further, the affidavit details that in spite of knowing about the victim’s condition, Gore allegedly “would regularly throw the victim in the air causing the victim’s head to strike the kitchen ceiling inside the shelter.” Apparently, the impact was hard enough to cause material of the ceiling to fall. In addition, the affidavit mentions Gore would laugh whenever the victim cried in pain after being harmed by Gore.

During the encounter with law enforcement on Aug. 30, Zeppo stated they were “kicked out” of the homeless shelter the day before and stayed in a tent with a friend behind Walmart. Zeppo confirmed that Gore flicked the baby’s feet but denied knowing anything about the alleged throwing, tossing and abuse.

The detective noted the baby was dirty, his head was “oddly shaped,” and there was a possible rash “on the base of his skull onto the rear of his neck.”

Another detective questioned Gore in which he admitted to knowing about the baby’s medical condition per the affidavit and the risks and dangers involved due to the affliction. Gore also allegedly admitted to various behaviors involving the little one, including “carrying the victim upside down,” and “tossing/ throwing the victim by his ankles in the air” amongst other admissions. The affidavit also mentions Zeppo telling Gore to stop tossing the baby.

As for the homeless shelter, Bridge of Hope Executive Director Dan Colbert confirms that a female and male adult did stay at the homeless shelter for a brief time in August and had a child with them but no specific dates nor names were given, citing privacy. He says the two individuals and the child left of their accord prior to knowledge of any allegations. Colbert says the welfare of all guests at all times is a primary concern.

“We take safety and wellbeing very seriously. We are mandated reporters and when we were first made aware of the allegations, we did exactly what our policy calls for,” he said. That policy requires contacting law enforcement and “all the appropriate parties as soon as we are made aware of the allegations,” Colbert said.

According to Lincoln County Sheriff Rick Harrell, the baby has been in the custody of the state since Aug. 30. Gore is currently being held on a $10,000 bond while Zeppo was released on her own recognizance.

A bond reduction hearing for both was scheduled for Dec. 19.