Ohio Mom Accused of Neglecting Children

(Lorain, Ohio) A 28-year-old local woman, Erica Perez, has been accused of gross neglect and endangerment of her seven children.

Perez, who is four months pregnant, faces charges of child endangering, disorderly conduct, disorderly conduct by intoxication, obstructing official business and resisting arrest.

Police were dispatched to the 1700 block of Long Ave. for a woman with several children who was standing in front of a home screaming at its residents. The woman, Erica Perez, 28, said someone had stolen her phone, and she wanted it back.

The residents of the home told police that no one had stolen Perez’s phone and that the woman had been drinking all day and is “always drunk.” Residents said Perez sits on her porch all day and has numerous visitors who drink with her.

Police continued their investigation at Perez’s Long Avenue home to find seven children, ages one to nine, covered in filth and visibly neglected.

According to a police report, the one-year-old had reportedly had a seizure earlier that day, but Perez said the child often suffers from seizures and he was OK and did not need an ambulance. The other children in the home said the boy often has seizures, and Perez only calls the ambulance once a week. They said the boy would stop breathing and turn blue each time he has a seizure.

According to the report, Perez’s home “smelled of urine and garbage,” and “there were numerous flies flying all over the room.” Police also found an empty liquor bottle in the kitchen, along with a few beers.

Officer A.J. Mathewson wrote in a police report, “In my almost 13 years as a police officer, I have never observed such a filthy, disgusting, unsafe, unhealthy environment where children were being housed. The condition of the residence and children was disturbing.”

Perez was booked into custody at the Lorain County Jail.

Tip: Phil