(Memphis) Neighbors say the mother of three children, found home alone Tuesday, and her boyfriend packed-up bags and left their apartment after the State took the children away.
“I saw them last night,” said Antonio Matthew. “Pretty much everyone spoke to them and nobody said anything about the situation. It was kinda, I guess, taboo.”
“You could tell they were hurting real bad about the situation,” said Neighbor Shanteria Jackson. “He was walking with his head down and she was too. They have got a lot on their mind and their heart.”
Police say the couple that lives in the North Memphis apartment left a three-year-old, a one-year-old and six-month-old to fend for themselves for hours.
Now, the State is investigating and neighbors are talking.
“I don’t think that was the first incident,” said Matthew.
Matthew said his father lives right next to the family and he’s heard arguing and loud music coming from their apartment.
Some in the Hilldale complex are saying that loud music was often playing when neither parent was home.
“A lot of times, the music would be up loud and it would be used as a deterrent from anyone knowing the children had been left in the building,” said Matthew.
“You’ve heard that?’ asked Reporter Sabrina Hall.
“Yeah,” said Jackson.
The TN Department of Children Services says it will interviewing neighbors and family members to see if the rumors are true, and if the three children should be taken away for good.
“I don`t wish bad upon anyone but justice needs to be done about that because you just don`t leave them kids by themselves,” said Jackson.
If DCS investigators find the mother was neglectful, the district attorney will file those charges. I
f not, DCS will provide services to the mother, like parenting classes or help with the cost of daycare.