Joshua Tree Couple Arrested for Caring for Disabled Adult Children in Filthy Home

Decomposed Body Found in Twentynine Palms Leads to Death Investigation

JOSHUA TREE – A Joshua Tree couple was arrested for the abuse of their dependent adult sons. The couple live in the home with their two sons, ages 24 and 25-years-old in the 4000 block of Avenida Del Sol. The sons were diagnosed with Aspergers and autism and were to be under the care of Edward Zeppenfeldt, 55, and Melinda Zeppenfeldt, 48.

On Tuesday, September 18, 2018, at around 10:30 a.m., deputies conducted a follow up regarding an Adult Protective Services case. The deputies made contact with the couple and while at the home noticed piles of garbage scattered throughout the yard belonging to the property. Inside the home, the deputies found trash, rat feces, dirt, and sharp objects scattered on the floor. The cabinets were empty besides for a large amount of rat feces found in them. The doors and walls were in bad condition with large holes in the drywall. Electrical wires were exposed as a result of the holes. Human feces covered the walls of one of the bedrooms. The home was described to be deplorable and posed a health risk to those living there.

Melinda and Edward Zeppenfeldt were arrested for Abuse of a Dependent Adult and were booked into the West Valley Detention Center. They are scheduled to appear at the Morongo Superior Court on September 20, 2018, meanwhile, they are being held in lieu of $50,000 bail each.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME.