Related videos:
A neighborhood complaint about the constant barking of a dog uncovered an alarming situation of child neglect in Hialeah Gardens, in Miami-Dade County.
Local authorities arrested Eury Colón, a 30-year-old man, after finding his two underage children living in absolutely unsanitary conditions, surrounded by cockroaches, feces, and trash scattered throughout the home.
The incident occurred last Sunday night when a Hialeah Gardens police officer responded to a complaint at a residence located on Northwest 111th Terrace, around 9:30 p.m.
Initially, the call was about the excessive noise from a dog. However, what the officer discovered upon arriving at the scene was much more disturbing.
According to the arrest report -cited by Local 10- the officer knocked on the door of the residence for at least five minutes without receiving a response. At that moment, he noticed that there was a window with the light on.
"Then I noticed a window located at the far right front of the residence with the lights of the bedroom on, and I knocked several times," wrote the officer.
It was then that a small child, completely naked, opened the curtains, revealing a scene of complete neglect.
“I observed the naked child, as well as a room full of used Pampers diapers covered in feces,” he added.
Shortly after, Colón arrived by car and tried to justify the situation by claiming that the children's mother was asleep inside the house.
However, his behavior raised suspicions.
Upon entering the residence, "he attempted to close the door," which prompted the agent to intervene.
"I informed Eury that for the safety of the minors, he needed to keep the door open so that I could keep an eye on them, due to the fact that the minors appeared to be alone and at that moment this had turned into a police investigation," the officer reported.
A statement made by Colón, the content of which was censored in the police report, led to his immediate arrest.
Under "pressing circumstances," the officer entered the home to check on the condition of the minors. What he found confirmed his worst fears.
The report details that "the little boy had feces on his left leg" and that the house was in a "chaotic state."
In a second bedroom, a baby was found, also exposed to extremely unhealthy conditions.
“I found multiple open food containers scattered throughout the house. I also observed feces all over the floor of the residence, as well as cockroaches throughout the residence and the children's rooms,” wrote the officer.
The situation necessitated contacting the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), which promptly sent an investigator.
He determined that the environment was "dangerous for minors" and ordered their immediate removal from the home. The children were taken by paramedics from the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to Palmetto General Hospital for medical evaluation.
Eury Colón has been charged with two serious counts of child neglect and remains in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK).
As of Monday afternoon, the bail had still not been set, according to the online prison records available.
No information has been disclosed about the mother of the minors.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Child Negligence Case in Hialeah Gardens
What led the authorities to uncover child neglect in Hialeah Gardens?
The discovery of child neglect in Hialeah Gardens was prompted by a neighbor's complaint about a dog's constant barking. Upon responding to the call, a police officer found the minors living in unsanitary conditions, which led to the arrest of Eury Colón.
What was the situation found in Eury Colón's home?
In the residence, two minors were found living in extremely unsanitary conditions, surrounded by cockroaches, feces, and garbage. The children were exposed to a dangerous environment, which led to their immediate removal by the Florida Department of Children and Families.
What charges does Eury Colón face after the incident?
Eury Colón faces two serious charges of child neglect. He is currently detained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, and as of the time of publication, no bail has been set.
What measures were taken to protect minors after the negligence was discovered?
The minors were transported by paramedics to Palmetto General Hospital for their medical evaluation. Additionally, the Florida Department of Children and Families intervened to ensure their protection, determining that the environment was unsafe for them.
Are there similar cases of child neglect in Florida?
Yes, there have been several cases of child neglect in Florida in recent years. Similar cases include parents who have been arrested for keeping their children in deplorable or dangerous conditions. This reflects a persistent problem of child neglect in the region.
Filed under: