Donations of clothing and funds are flooding in for three children who were reportedly left to fend for themselves by their mother for an extended period. This disturbing situation occurred in a suburban neighborhood of Detroit, where the sheriff described the children’s living conditions as neglectful and alarming.

According to Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, the mother would sporadically leave food on the porch of their Pontiac residence but primarily lived elsewhere, maintaining very little contact with her children—a 15-year-old boy and two girls aged 13 and 12. She is currently incarcerated as prosecutors deliberate on potential charges against her.

The children were discovered by the police after a landlord expressed concern about unpaid rent and suspected issues inside the home. Upon arrival, officers found conditions so dire that they had to don hazardous material suits for their safety.

Bouchard noted that garbage was stacked up to three to four feet high in certain areas, and everything was coated in filth. The toilet, as a result, was inoperable, illustrating the appalling environment these children had endured for years—significantly longer than just days or weeks.

Heartbreakingly, the boy revealed that he had ventured out of the house only twice, once just to feel grass beneath his feet, which underscores the traumatic nature of their living situation. The sheriff emphasized that the children were essentially abandoned and lived in fear, leading them to avoid leaving the house entirely.

It appears they may have been isolated for more than four years, with limited assistance coming from their mother. Although a delivery service provided food to the family, the drivers were reportedly unaware of the children’s existence in the home.

Their father, having lost contact with them due to being imprisoned, was also prevented by their mother from having a relationship with them upon his release, according to Bouchard.

Fortunately, after just a few days of intervention, the children have shown remarkable improvement. They have received medical evaluations, clean clothing, and assistance with personal hygiene, which has contributed positively to their recovery process.