Flint Township, Michigan — A Michigan mother has pleaded guilty to seven charges after police found her two young children alone in a filthy home, where one child was reportedly eating “raw, spoiled meat” and the other was found hiding on a bedroom floor.
Krystal Farmer, 27, entered guilty pleas Monday to two counts of child abandonment, four counts of child abuse and one count of lying to police, according to court records and local reporting. She has not yet been sentenced and is scheduled to return to court on October 19.
Police Found Children Alone During Welfare Check
The case began on February 18, when a concerned neighbor called 911 and requested a welfare check at Farmer’s Flint Township home.
When officers arrived, they discovered Farmer’s two children, ages 3 and 4, alone inside the residence. Both children have special needs, according to authorities.
Police said the home was filled with trash and human waste, while a faucet had been left running and water was spilling onto the floor. The conditions were so severe that officers reportedly found trash covering the floor so thickly that they “couldn’t take a normal step.”
One of the children was found attempting to eat “raw, spoiled meat,” while the other was discovered hiding on the floor of a bedroom. Police said there was no suitable food available for the children.
Neighbor Said She Had Suspected Something Was Wrong
The welfare check came after a neighbor became concerned about what was happening inside the home. Christy Ogles-Campbell told that she suspected something was wrong at the residence “at least since September.”
After learning what police found inside, she said:
“I never ever could have imagined that that was actually what was going on in that house.”
Police credited the neighbor’s decision to call 911 with helping get the children to safety. In a statement shared on social media, Flint Township police said the boys were “now safe” because one neighbor “spoke up.”
Police Said Farmer Left the Children for Days
Investigators also questioned Farmer after discovering the children.
According to police, Farmer initially gave investigators an account that they determined was not truthful. Authorities said their investigation ultimately established that the two boys had been left alone in the home for several days.
The condition of the residence added to the concern.
Police described the floors as being buried under so much garbage that officers could barely move normally through the home. The running faucet had also caused water to accumulate on the floor.
Authorities described the residence as:
“It was a house that had been reduced to survival conditions.”
The children were subsequently removed from the home and placed in safety.
Farmer’s Guilty Plea Comes With a Caveat
Although Farmer pleaded guilty to all seven charges Monday, the plea does not necessarily mean the case is completely settled.
According to a local news outlet, Farmer requested a Cobbs evaluation, a Michigan court procedure that can allow a defendant to receive an indication of the sentence a judge is considering before fully committing to a guilty or no-contest plea.
Recent court reporting indicates there is no sentencing agreement with the prosecution. Farmer is also required to complete a pre-sentence investigation before sentencing.
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That means the October hearing will be an important next step in determining the consequences of the case.
Sentencing Set for October 19
Farmer is expected to return to court on October 19 for sentencing.
The case has drawn attention not only because of the charges but also because the children were discovered only after a neighbor decided to request a welfare check.
The initial police investigation began in February, and Farmer was later found competent to stand trial during proceedings earlier this year. For now, the two children are safe, while the legal case against their mother moves toward sentencing.
What are your thoughts on this case and the neighbor’s decision to call 911? Share your reaction in the comments below.
