Sheriff says 3 children have found for years ‘basically abandoned’ in the suburban home in Detroit

Donations of clothing and money are poured out for three children “basically abandoned” for years, living alone in a suburban home in Detroit among garbage and feces, Sheriff said on Tuesday.

“You wouldn’t do that to the animal, let alone your child,” said Oakland Sheriff Mike Bouchard.

Bouchard said her mother would occasionally leave food on the porch at Pontiac’s house, but she lived elsewhere and had little contact with children, a 15-year-old boy and two girls, aged 13 and 12. He is now in prison, while prosecutors are considering applying for charges.

Police found the children on Friday after the landlord said that the mother was lagging behind the rental of rent and wondered if there was a home problem. The scene was so extreme that investigators wore hazmat suits.

“The garbage was three and four legs in some places. Everything was covered with feces and garbage,” Bouchard said. “The toilet has become dysfunctional. It is a kind of situation in which these poor children have lived for years, not just for hours or days – for years.”

The boy indicated that he had left the house only twice, “once because he wanted to feel the grass, which is heartbroken in itself,” Sheriff said.

Bouchard said they were “basically abandoned” and afraid to leave.

He said children may have lived alone for over four years. Bouchard said that their mother and shipping companies would reject food, although drivers were obviously not aware that there were children inside.

Their father lost contact with the children while in prison, and their mother forbade them to see them when he was released, Sheriff said.

After only a few days, children make a lot of progress, with medical examinations, fresh clothes and help in hygiene, Bouchard said.