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Miami Beach police arrested a 34-year-old woman accused of child neglect after finding two of her young children alone in an apartment in unsanitary conditions infested with insects.
The arrest report, reviewed by Local 10, indicates that Miriam Shvetz's ex-husband, a resident of the Ocean 36 North condominium on Collins Avenue, called the authorities after leaving the 5 and 9-year-old children at home and being alerted by them that their mother was not present.
Her third child, aged 7, was at school.
Upon arriving at the location, an officer heard one of the minors crying while talking on a video call with Shvetz, who admitted he was not at home because he "had things to do."
The agents described the home as uninhabitable: a smell of rotten food and urine, dirty walls and floors, remnants of feces in the bathroom, a clogged toilet, and dishes with leftover food covered in insects.
The investigation also revealed that Shvetz had not enrolled the two older children in school and had told her ex-husband that she did not intend to do so.
The father, who has been involved in a custody dispute with her since 2023, assured the authorities that he has already started the process to enroll them.
Shvetz was transferred to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where she remains in custody under a bond of $5,000.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Negligence in Florida
Why was Miriam Shvetz arrested in Miami Beach?
Miriam Shvetz was arrested for child neglect after police found her children living in unsanitary conditions and unattended in her apartment.
What were the conditions of Miriam Shvetz's apartment?
The apartment was in deplorable conditions, with the smell of rotten food and urine, dirty floors and walls, feces in the bathroom, a clogged toilet, and dishes covered in insects.
What measures were taken regarding Miriam Shvetz's children after the arrest?
After Shvetz's arrest, the children's father started the process to enroll them in school, as she had no intention of doing so. The children are now under the father's supervision, who is involved in a custody dispute with Shvetz.
Is child neglect common in South Florida?
Unfortunately, cases of child neglect are not uncommon in South Florida. Authorities have reported several similar incidents in the region, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of minors in the area.
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