DETROIT -- Three small children were taken from their Detroit home Thursday morning after police found them alone.

The children, ages 4, 2 and 1, told police they had been by themselves for at least three days.

They were discovered when the 4-year-old went to a neighbor's home and said they were hungry.

"The (children's) house is just nasty. That's all I can say, nasty," said a female neighbor who asked not to be identified.

"I heard the baby crying when I went over there," the neighbor said. "I changed the baby's diaper and fed them something to eat."

The neighbor also called police, who arrived a short time later and removed the children from the home.

"Actually, it's heart-breaking," said Detroit Deputy Police Chief Chester Logan. "We're going to make the best of the situation and make sure these kids are taken care of."

According to the neighbor, the stove was left on and clothes were thrown all over the home. "The bathroom was flooded, water running over the tub. I tried to turn it off, but I couldn't," she said.

The neighbor said she also found a broken jelly jar and crackers on the floor of the home.

"I got a little teary-eyed when they took the kids, but I think it's the best thing to do," the neighbor said. "If the parents don't care ... I don't understand. Why would you do kids like that and leave them at home?"

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I don't know, this sounds fishy to me. The stove was left on, as was the tub? That makes me question what happened to the mom. It sounds like she left unexpectedly.

It's amazing what a crack addicted parent will do... I know I'm making an assumption but there's probably a 90% chance I am right.

eh, it could have been worse though.

Poor babies, I hate to think something happened to their mother. I'd also hate to think that she thought drugs were more important than her children...

well it doesn't sound like a missing for a fix situation. Things being left on is extreme even for a drug addict. It does sound more missing persons though

There were so many hazards to the children in this home, and three days being left alone.....It does sound more like the mom was abducted.....Reading about the water overflowing scared the hell out of me with these babies. Just hope they are well taken care of.....poor little tykes........

"The neighbor said she was not sure about the children's father, but she did recall seeing a man at the home from time to time.
As of Thursday night, police still had not heard from the mother."

It sounds like all that could go wrong, DID!?

*shakes head in amazement*

Horrible Whatever really did happen, good to hear that the children were rescued.

Talk about a mystery and a half!

My heart does go out to the kiddies, I am so glad they were rescued and taken to a safe place.

Regarding the mother, I wonder what really happened there? I hope we find out in the future.

Same here. If she needs help, I sure hope she gets it.

Some people just don't deserve to have kids .

I'm amazed none of the kids drowned or got serious burns from the stove being on for all this time.....

Why didn't the neighbours notice the parent/s missing sooner, since they could hear the baby crying.....Sometimes it pays to be a 'nosey parker'.......

This is why the "non-working poor" should be sterilized. Yeah! it was definately a crack head.................



Lapiche

that is some scary stuff those poor kids. Hope they can find the mother. I wonder if there will be an update someday soon.