In a harrowing discovery, three siblings—two girls aged 12 and 13, and a 15-year-old boy—were found living alone in a deplorable state in their Pontiac, Michigan home. The children had been effectively abandoned by their 34-year-old mother, who communicated with them only via text messages when they needed food. The house was described as “uninhabitable,” with piles of garbage and refuse several feet high, and a non-functional toilet.

Details of the Discovery

The case came to light when the landlord reported to authorities that he had not received rent payments since October 2024 and had not heard from the mother since December. Upon investigation, police found the children in the unsanitary conditions, covered with feces, and struggling with basic hygiene tasks due to prolonged neglect.

Legal Proceedings

The mother has been charged with child abuse and is currently in custody, awaiting a court hearing. Prosecutor Karen McDonald emphasized the severity of the neglect, stating, “These three kids were entrusted to the care of their mother… and the evidence suggests that she effectively abandoned them to a revolting pit of refuse and squalor.”

Community Response

The case has shocked the Pontiac community, prompting local authorities to call for donations of clothing and shoes for the children. Kimberly Leverette, interim director of the Pontiac School District, expressed the community’s distress, stating, “We are deeply saddened to learn of what they have endured over the years.”

This incident underscores the critical need for vigilant community oversight and support systems to protect vulnerable children from neglect and abuse. The siblings are now under the care of a relative through the Child Protective Agency, and authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding their prolonged neglect.