Middletown father of 9 says ‘We are blessed’ as police deliver community’s donations

FIRST REPORT: Drug dealers let Middletown mother die in front of her 9 kids, police say

“I thank everybody. This is a great community. They have come together to support us in our loss. If it wasn’t happening to me, I wouldn’t believe it. Just the way all of this has transpired and how we are being blessed,” he said.

Sanders said his wife, Jimeta Sanders, 31, was battling drug addiction and had recently been in treatment.

She was found dead in the family’s kitchen Wednesday night by one of their nine children, he said.

Middletown Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw said the Butler County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause of death of Jimeta Sanders.

“Known drug dealers” were in the house in the 1400 block of Yankee Road on Wednesday and they left the woman to die, according to Muterspaw.

MORE: Men possibly connected to Middletown mom’s death in custody

Middletown officers spent about one hour Friday unloading a truck full of items, including a refrigerator, into the home. The officers also cleaned the home’s kitchen.

On Thursday morning, after the story of Jimeta Sanders’ death was posted on the Middletown police Facebook page, people dropped off items and money at the station.

MORE: ‘Overwhelming’ response for 9 Middletown children who found mother dead

Before his wife’s death, Sanders said all they wanted for Christmas was a refrigerator, stove and some toys for their children, ages 1-14.