Authorities said that three youngsters whose mother had abandoned them years ago were discovered living alone in “absolute squalor” in a rental house in Pontiac, Michigan.
According to a news release issued by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, the 34-year-old mother was taken into custody last week. Her name was withheld in order to preserve the children’s identities.
The living conditions for the youngsters were described by Sheriff Michael Bouchard as “abuse of the highest order.” The youngsters survived on weekly deliveries of prepared food, the sheriff’s office reported, while human waste and mold were discovered inside the Lydia Lane residence and trash was strewn all over the place.
“This situation would be deemed deplorable and intolerable for an animal, and it is utterly unacceptable for three children,” Bouchard stated.
“They have been deprived of any interaction with their mother and have not received an education for years,” he added. “The far-reaching consequences of this abuse must be acknowledged.”
According to the news release, the landlord claimed he hadn’t heard from the mother since December, so deputies were sent to the house on Friday afternoon to perform a welfare check. The mother’s last rent payment was made in October, according to the landlord, who was worried that something might have happened.
Deputies discovered the house in “deplorable shape,” according to the news release. Inside were three children: a 12-year-old girl, a 13-year-old girl, and a 15-year-old guy.
“Garbage was piled as high as four feet in some rooms, mold and human waste was found throughout, with the toilet overflowing and feces in the bathtub,” the sheriff’s office stated. “Deputies checked the residence for occupants and found the boy and his sisters.”
According to the officials, the girls had locked themselves in the restroom, but they opened the door when they were asked to do so.
In the year 2020 or 2021, the boy disclosed to the deputies that their mother had abandoned them. According to the sheriff’s office, the children would receive prepared food on the front porch every week, either from their mother or from a stranger. This was done so that they could survive. Toilet paper and other goods related to personal hygiene were not left behind by the mother.
The ladies slept on pizza boxes, while the guy slept on a mattress that was placed on the floor.
During the process of processing the scene, an evidence technician was required to don a HAZMAT suit since the environment inside the property was so severe, according to the authorities.
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However, it looked that she had not seen the girls in years, according to the sheriff’s office, despite the fact that the mother had interaction with the son. According to the sheriff’s office, none of the youngsters received any kind of educational experience since they were left behind. It seemed as though the girls had not gone outside for a number of years after leaving the house.
According to the press release, they occupied themselves by either watching television or playing video games or both. When they were discovered, they were dressed in unclean clothing, their hair was matted, and their toenails were so long that it was difficult for them to walk. Both of these things were noticeable.
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In their statements to the deputies, neighbors stated that they were unaware that the children lived in the house and that they never saw them outside, but that they did see the mother dropping off items.
In order to conduct an assessment, the youngsters were sent to the hospital. Since then, Child Protective Services has transferred care of them to a relative who is a member of their family. The Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday that it was collecting money for the youngsters through a post that was published on Facebook.
When asked about the case, Bouchard stated that it will be forwarded to the prosecuting attorney for Oakland County.
