Children Found Naked & Hungry, North Miami Mom Arrested

NORTH MIAMI (CBS4) – A North Miami woman has been charged with multiple counts of child neglect after her children were found home alone naked and hungry.

According to police an officer was tasked to a Department of Children and Families worker to check on 26-year old Gardine Toussaint who lives in an apartment in the 13700 block of NE 3rd Court. When they arrived at the apartment building, they found Toussaint in the hallway walking towards her apartment.

Toussaint allowed them inside the unit which the officer described as "deplorable" in a report. The officer noted that there were bags of garbage on the floor and the apartment was infested with roaches.

The officer said all four children, whose ages ranged from 7 months to 11 years old, were not wearing any clothing, appeared to be malnourished and did not appear to have a place to sleep. The DCF worker found the  7 month old had a severe diaper rash.

Toussaint was arrested and charged with four counts of child neglect.  She was released on pre-trial conditions.  If she fails to meet those conditions, she will be sent back to jail on a $30,000 bond.

All four children were taken into DCF custody.  The agency confirmed that they have a history with Toussaint.

During a hearing Tuesday to decide who will take care of the children, their father Elias Medredy said he would take them.  Medredy told the judge that he and Toussaint have been separated for several years and she didn't allow him to see them.   Medredy's court apponted attorney said it was a "cultural" thing that kept the father from going to the authorities. The judge didn't buy his story and ordered that the children remain in state care.

State prosecutors are reportedly considering filing neglect charges against the children's father as well.