Woman Arrested for Leaving Adopted Kids in Dangerous Filthy Home

CONVERSE, TX – A woman is facing criminal charges after police say she abandoned her three children for nearly two weeks.

According to the San Antonio Police Department, 45-year-old Lorraine Sue Garza left her adopted daughters, ages 11, 13, and 15, alone in the family's home on June 3rd.

Authorities were notified of the situation after a neighbor called the police and said she was providing food and showers for the three girls.

When officers spoke with the 15-year-old, she stated her mother just left on June 3rd and took the only cellphone the family had with her, so they could not contact her.

The teen told officers they were forced to ask the neighbor for help because they had no water or fresh food.

When officers searched the home they found spoiled food, insects on the floor, trash and clothing on the floor, and animal feces on the floor.

Authorities also determined the home had been without running water since May 21st for failure to pay.

The eldest girl told officers all three sisters slept in her room because that was the only ceiling fan that worked. Responding officers described the temperature inside the home as "extremely hot."

The inside heat was so unbearable, that the teen asked officers if they could continue the interview outside. The temperature was 98 degrees outside that day.

The girls were removed from the home by the Texas Department of Family and Adult Protective Services.

Garza was charged with two counts of abandoning or endangering a child on June 18th and released after posting a $3,000 bond.