The fate of a 34-year-old mother accused of abandoning her three children, who were found living alone in extreme neglect, now rests with the Oakland County prosecutor. Authorities are deciding whether to file charges against the woman, as the case has been described as “horrifying” by officials.
On Friday, deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office discovered the children—aged 12, 13, and 15—living in “absolute squalor” in their Pontiac home. Rooms were filled with human waste, trash was piled up to four feet high, and two of the children slept on pizza boxes. Their toenails were severely overgrown, making it difficult for them to walk. The children had survived on food delivered weekly by their mother or a stranger.
According to the sheriff’s office, the 15-year-old told investigators that their mother had abandoned them sometime in 2020 or 2021. Since then, the children had been living alone, with no school attendance reported. The Pontiac School District confirmed that the three children were not enrolled in the district but declined to provide further information, citing the ongoing investigation.
Pontiac School District Interim Superintendent Kimberly Leverette expressed the community’s shock at the discovery, saying, “Our hearts are breaking for these children and what they have endured.” She added that the district is working with law enforcement to support the investigation.
The 34-year-old mother, who remains unnamed, was arrested Friday and is being held in the Oakland County Jail. The prosecutor’s office is reviewing the case to determine whether charges will be filed.
The children are currently in the care of a relative through Child Protective Services. In response to their condition, the sheriff’s office has called for donations, including new or gently used clothes and shoes for the three children.
The case came to light after a landlord reported that rent had not been paid since October and that he had not heard from the mother since December. Investigators visited the home on Lydia Lane and discovered the shocking conditions inside. Neighbors, however, had no idea about the situation in the seemingly quiet neighborhood.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to gather information as they prepare to make a decision on possible charges.
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