A Maryland mother is being held without bail after police said her six children, all under the age of 10, were found alone inside a filthy Baltimore apartment with no electricity, running water, food or usable furniture.
Teonna Brown, 34, has been charged with six counts of child neglect after a City of Baltimore employee spotted the children Monday in the back of their apartment without any apparent adult supervision, according to a police report obtained by local Fox affiliate WBFF.
When officers arrived, they said the children were only partially dressed. Some were reportedly wearing nothing but socks and soiled diapers, while others were walking barefoot around broken glass.
Police said the conditions inside the home were even worse.
According to a probable cause statement obtained by CBS affiliate WJZ, the apartment was in “poor, unsafe, and unsanitary condition.” Investigators said there was no electricity or running water and no readily available food or drinking water.
Police also said there were no beds or usable furniture inside the apartment, which was littered with dog feces. When officers tried to find clothing for the children, they allegedly could not find enough for all six.
All of the children were taken to a hospital for medical evaluations.
Authorities said the children showed signs of neglect, but all six were eventually released into the custody of family members after receiving treatment, according to NBC affiliate WBAL.
Brown was reportedly at the hospital while the children were being treated.
When police questioned her, Brown allegedly told them she had an appointment at a methadone clinic that morning and had asked a friend to come to the apartment to watch the children.
Brown said the friend eventually agreed, but she was already running about an hour late for her appointment and left before the friend arrived, according to police.
She allegedly told investigators that she would normally wait for the babysitter to show up before leaving, but said she was “late and rushing” that morning.
Officers also questioned Brown about the condition of the apartment and the children.
She allegedly said she was not receiving food assistance and told police that the children bathed or showered “when they want.”
Court records show Brown and her children had been placed in the apartment in April through a city crisis housing program.
The program had also provided Brown with hundreds of dollars in Walmart gift cards to help supply the household.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said city officials are now reviewing how the family’s situation deteriorated despite being connected to housing assistance.
Scott also said the city would examine whether the private landlord who owned the property knew about the conditions and whether any action could be taken.
“We’ll also be taking a tough, hard look at whether the landlord, the private landlord who owned this property, was aware of the condition and take any action that we can there as well,” Scott told WJZ.
Brown was taken into custody and ordered held without bail.
During a court appearance Wednesday, her public defender told the judge that Brown “had unfortunately dealt with substance abuse, and it has been a difficult six months.”
The judge cited Brown’s criminal history, a prior failure to appear and an open warrant when deciding to keep her behind bars.
Brown is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 1.
What did she use the government money for
This sperm receptacle needs to have her tubes tied.