THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 4, 1995 TAG: 9503040428
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
A 23-year-old mother of two has been charged with child neglect because the townhome she and her young sons lived in was filthy and unsanitary, police said Friday.
Acting on a complaint taken by the city's Social Services agency, detectives visited a townhome in the 700 block of Taft Ave. late Thursday, police spokesman Mike Carey said.
The floor was strewn with rotting food and cat feces, Carey said. Investigators said the condition of the rented townhome was dangerous to the children.
The children have lived in the squalor for more than a month, police said.
During the investigation, a detective watched the woman's 2-year-old boy pick up a moldy piece of food from the stained floor and eat it, Carey said. Food had been mashed into the stained carpet.
Detectives arrested Susan Ringer and charged her with two counts of felony child neglect. One of Ringer's relatives was given custody of the boys, ages 12 months and 2.
Ringer was released on the promise to return to court and on the condition she not contact the children.
Authorities said Ringer's husband is deployed on an aircraft carrier.
The children showed no signs of physical abuse and appeared healthy, police said. They didn't require medical attention.
Carey said several similar cases have surfaced in the past few years. Most are investigated after a concerned relative or neighbor phones police or Social Services.
Anyone who suspects child neglect or abuse can contact Social Services agents through a hot line at 437-3400. For emergencies, Carey said callers should report incidents to police by calling 911.
Ringer is scheduled for a court appearance Tuesday. She is free on a $5,000 bond.
KEYWORDS: CHILD NEGLECT ARREST by CNB