HOUSTON, Texas — A 21-year-old mother has been arrested after authorities discovered her two young children alone in appalling living conditions.
Denisse Urias Vargas was taken into custody on Dec. 21 after her two children, ages three and one, were found abandoned in a filthy apartment. The residence, according to officials, was littered with trash, infested with bugs, and had exposed medication within reach of the children. A trash can overflowing with used diapers added to the squalid environment.
Authorities said both children showed visible signs of neglect, including being covered in lice. The situation became even more alarming when it was revealed that the 1-year-old child tested positive for cocaine and marijuana.
Urias Vargas was charged with two counts of abandoning a child with the intent to return. She was given a bond of $1,000.
Child Protective Services is now involved in the case, and the children have been placed in the care of relatives, according to reports.
Neighbors expressed shock and concern upon learning about the situation. “It’s heartbreaking to think that those kids were living in such conditions,” one neighbor said. “I hope they get the care they need now.”
Legal experts indicate that Urias Vargas could face serious consequences if convicted, as child abandonment and neglect charges are considered grave offenses in Texas.
Authorities are urging the public to report suspected child neglect or abuse to ensure children’s safety.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of community vigilance in protecting vulnerable children. Further updates on the children’s well-being and the legal proceedings against Urias Vargas are expected as the case unfolds.