NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Two young children were left unattended in a homeless encampment during severe weather, according to an arrest affidavit.
Officers were dispatched to a to a large homeless encampment on Anthes Drive on Saturday for reports of two kids, ages 3 and 4, walking around the area unattended.
When officers arrived on scene, they found one of the children being held by a resident of the encampment in the area. As officers continued to search for the second child, they spoke with Jaiya Rutland, who was later found to be the children’s mother.
The second child was located a short time later at the far end of the Anthes camp where the children’s father, Earl Alston, was staying.
Both children were found without shoes and jackets, and at the time, Nashville was under a severe weather warning as strong thunderstorms and heavy downpours moved through the area. Officers also observed the camp to be littered with broken glass, used needles, various drug paraphernalia and feces, which could have been hazardous to the children’s health.
The affidavit said the children also appeared malnourished.
Alston reportedly admitted to leaving the kids unattended, so he and Rutland could get water away from the camp. However, Rutland told police she left the kids with Alston while she cleared water, and claimed he left them unattended to visit another person.
This is reportedly not the first time the parents have left the children unattended, the affidavit said.
Both kids were taken to a local hospital to be treated for their malnourishment and any other ailments.
Alston and Rutland were arrested and have been charged with two counts child neglect of a child 8 or under. They are both being held at the Davidson County Jail on $50,000 bonds.
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