MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Four children, all between 4 and 11 years old, were found home alone in the 1600 block of Winway Monday afternoon.
The kids were unharmed and have been released into a family member’s custody.
MPD says the mother was at work and a family member was supposed to be checking on the children.
An employee at the Winbranch apartment complex called for help after learning the kids were home alone.
Neighbors want to see the mother pay the price. One mother who told WREG these kinds of stories are why she’s considering becoming a foster parent once her kids move out.
Linda said, “We don’t leave babies, we don’t do that.”
She’s called this neighborhood home for years and wasn’t happy to hear what brought WREG news cameras Monday afternoon.
“That is ridiculous! Why do we have them if we can’t take care of them?” she said.
WREG cameras were first on the scene when police arrived to check on the four children.
Spring break started Monday for Shelby County Schools, just weeks after a snow storm forced schools to shut down. But parents tell WREG that’s no excuse not to have a plan for your kids.
“There is not such thing as an emergency to leave four babies. I mean no. That is the emergency. The babies.”
Neighbors say this area struggles with drug problems and called it flat-out dangerous. Rodterraus Clark said he wants to see consequences for this woman’s actions.
“It’s sad.” Clark said, “I think they need to be in jail.”
Police are calling this an “ongoing investigation,” and so far no one has been arrested. DCS has also been notified.
The Department of Parks and Neighborhoods is offering free day camps for kids to keep them busy and safe this week.