A father could face up to 14 years in jail if he’s found guilty of endangering his 9-year-old daughter.
The girl was found to be living in a backyard shed with her father and his 29-year-old girlfriend.
Joe Tavolazzi, 60, and his 29-year-old girlfriend Kimberly Bradeen were arrested Thursday along with six other adults at a property on the 12700 block of Lindo Lane in Lakeside.
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Team 10 found out Sheriff's deputies responded to 19 complaints against the Lakeside home in the last two years.
One neighbor told 10News, “Nothing good was happening in there.”
Last Thursday, deputies searched the entire property. Their search quickly focused on the shed that contained a shot gun, a .22-caliber rifle and 8.1 grams of methamphetamine.
In court today, deputy district attorney David Williams III, told a judge there was a serious danger to the child. Via closed circuit TV, Tavolazzi pleaded not guilty to child endangerment and other felony charges.
A judge set his bail to $190,000 and ordered him not to have contact with his daughter. Bradeen also pleaded not guilty to similar charges except the one related to child endangerment. She also faces a charge of being an addict in possession of a firearm and a stun gun.
Shortly after deputies made arrests Thursday, a 10News crew went to the home and encountered hostility. One unidentified person used profanity at our crew.
The girl’s uncle, Ted Tavolazzi insisted the girl had access to a bathroom in the house 100 feet away.
“She was well taken care of, that's enough!” said Ted Tavolazzi.
Deputies say despite the conditions, they found the girl to be in decent health. She’s in the custody of Child Protective Services.
Tavolazzi and Bradeen will be back in court on April 20. They will be charged and tried as co-defendants.
