1Two Knox County parents are in custody after deputies discovered seven young children living in what authorities described as “deplorable” conditions at a Clear Springs Road residence Tuesday morning.

The case began around 7:23 a.m. when Knox County 911 received a call about two small children—both about 6 years old—standing unattended near the wood line in the 3000 block of Clear Springs Road. Deputies traced the children back to a nearby home and contacted their parents, Jason Hoffer, 27, and Amber Hoffer, 28.

During the investigation, Knox County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies and detectives from the Family Crimes Unit found a total of seven children at the residence, ranging in age from one month to 7 years old. The living conditions were deemed hazardous by investigators, prompti

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