Three Children Found Living in Squalor, in Pontiac, Michigan, After They Were Abandoned By Their Mother for 4 Years

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In a heart-wrenching discovery that has left the Pontiac community in disbelief, three children were found living in unimaginable conditions after being abandoned by their mother for several years

After the local police department responded to a welfare check in February 2025, they uncovered a home filled with garbage, mold, and human waste. 

According to NBC News, crime scene investigators described the environment as "deplorable."

The children—aged 15, 13, and 12—had been surviving on monthly food drop-offs and were reportedly sleeping on mattresses and pizza boxes


The Discovery: A Welfare Check Turns into a Nightmare  

On February 14, 2025, the landlord of the rental home contacted the local police department after not hearing from the 34-year-old mother since December 2024.

She had last paid rent in October, raising concerns about her whereabouts and the well-being of the children. 

When Deputies arrived at the home that afternoon to conduct a welfare check, they found a disturbing scene that Sheriff Michael Bouchard called "abuse of the highest order."  

According to police reports, inside the home was in complete disarray

Garbage was piled up to four feet high in some rooms, mold covered the walls, and human waste overflowed from the toilet into the bathtub. 

The children, wearing soiled clothing with matted hair and overgrown toenails, were visibly malnourished and terrified. 

The 15-year-old boy told deputies that their mother had abandoned them in 2020 or 2021, leaving them to survive on weekly food deliveries.  

The house


A Life of Isolation and Survival  

The children’s living conditions were nothing short of horrific, as reported by Independent News.

They had no access to basic hygiene items, and their mother had not provided toilet paper or cleaning supplies since 2020. 

The siblings survived on prepared food left on the porch, usually just a loaf of bread meant to last several days.  

The boy slept on a mattress on the floor, while his sisters slept on stacks of pizza boxes. 

Neighbors had no idea the children were living in the home, as they rarely came outside. 

The boy told deputies he had only left the house twice—once to "feel the grass" and another time to check the mail. 

The girls, who had locked themselves in the bathroom when deputies arrived, hadn’t been outside in years.  


A Mother’s Arrest and the Legal Process  

After the shocking discovery, the mother was arrested at a separate location and is currently in custody. 

At this time, law enforcement officials have not disclosed the name of the mother in order to protect the identity of the children involved.

The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the case to determine appropriate charges. 

Sheriff Bouchard emphasized the severity of the neglect, stating, "This situation would be deemed deplorable and intolerable for an animal, and it is utterly unacceptable for three children."  

The criminal complaint against the mother outlines years of abandonment and neglect, with the children deprived of education, medical care, and basic human interaction. 

Police reports revealed that the home was so filthy that investigators had to wear hazmat suits to process the crime scene.  

The children were taken to a local hospital for evaluation and have since been placed in the custody of a relative by Child Protective Services. 

The local police department has launched a donation drive to help provide the children with clothing, hygiene products, and other essentials.  

Sheriff Bouchard expressed hope for the children’s recovery, stating, "These kids have been through hell, but with the right support, they can begin to heal." 

The community has rallied around the siblings, with many expressing outrage and heartbreak over their ordeal.  

If you suspect neglect or abuse, it’s crucial to report it immediately. 

As Sheriff Bouchard noted, "No child should ever have to endure such suffering."  


Got a tip about a crime? Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS immediately. 

You can also see how to report a crime anonymously online if you wish to remain anonymous.

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