Mother charged after 6 children, including 1-year-old, left home alone in East Baltimore
The mother of six children found unattended inside a home in Baltimore on Monday has been arrested and faces multiple child neglect charges, the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) said.
An officer was called to the 2900 block of East Monument Street on Monday at 11:30 a.m. on a report of child neglect.
At the location, the officer discovered six unsupervised children inside the home. The ages of the children were 9, 7, 6, 5, 3, and 1. BPD initially said the home appeared to be vacant, but investigators later determined it was a rental property.
The officer transported the children to Johns Hopkins Pediatrics, where they were medically evaluated. They were then turned over to representatives of Child Protective Services (CPS) or a family member, BPD said in a statement.
This case has generated strong feelings in the community, and one concerned resident who knows the mother urged people not to judge her.
"You guys saved these kids' lives"
Police responded to the rowhome in the 2900 block of East Monument Street just before noon Monday after receiving a call that the children were left unattended.
The home sits in the middle of the block between North Potomac and North Curley streets.
Tyesha Denise showed the scene as it unfolded on a Facebook livestream. People on the recording said some of the children were nearly naked and playing in trash.
"You guys saved these kids' lives today," a first responder said on the livestream.
The videos have been seen by more than 40,000 people.
"I had to do the right thing. You all know me. I had to do the right thing," the poster told her audience.
Police told WJZ Investigates the children are ages 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9 and were placed in the care of Child Protective Services and/or a family member after being evaluated at Johns Hopkins Pediatrics, which is nearby.
Police said they took the children's mother into custody, and she faces multiple child neglect charges.
In Maryland, it is a crime to leave a child under age 8 without supervision by a reliable person who is at least 13 years old.
Concerned neighbor says mom was getting help
A concerned neighbor deeply familiar with the situation spoke to WJZ Investigates about the case. Because emotions are running high, she asked that her identity be concealed.
She is upset police initially said the home "appeared to be vacant." Hours later, BPD clarified it was a rental.
"The house that they're living in was part of her trying to rehabilitate and a stabilization. It wasn't broken into. It wasn't stolen. The electric is not illegal. It's a leased property. She's sitting under a very valid contract. She's welcome to be there," the neighbor said. "She was supposed to be there. The children were supposed to be there, and at any point in time, if in the chaos and the commotion, the neighbors directly right there could've been spoken to and someone could've stepped in and aided and helped before it got to that level."
She does not want a single mother, who fell on hard times, to be demonized.
"I've heard a lot of the comments that's been made directed towards her and her character and her life itself," the woman told CBS News Baltimore. "And I think that before we step out the gate and say, 'Oh, let's throw her to the wolves,' maybe we should step back and say, 'Gosh, was she struggling? Did she need help?'"
Police told WJZ their investigation remains ongoing.
