A 34-year-old Florida woman, Miriam Shvetz, was recently taken into custody after her two minor children were discovered living alone in deplorable conditions, according to local law enforcement. The Miami-Dade county court records indicate that Shvetz is facing two charges of child neglect without significant harm.
The incident came to light when police were summoned to Shvetz’s condominium on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, a mid-sized island city that forms part of the larger Miami metropolitan area. The call to the authorities was made by Shvetz’s former spouse after he had dropped off their two children at her residence.
The children, aged 5 and 9, were left at their mother’s home around midday. The father was informed by the children that their mother was not at home, a fact that he was unaware of. He had spoken to Shvetz earlier in the day, and she had not indicated that she would not be at home, according to the arrest report.
Upon reaching the scene, one of the responding officers reportedly overheard a child speaking and crying on a video call to their absent mother. The officer then spoke with Shvetz, who confirmed that her ex-husband had dropped off the children and stated that she could not return home immediately due to other commitments.
The condition of the condominium was also a cause for concern. The arrest report noted that the apartment reeked of decaying food and urine. The walls and floors were dirty, and the kitchen was littered with old food and dirty dishes, attracting flies and insects. One of the toilets was blocked and filled with old urine and feces, which were also scattered across the bathroom floor.
The couple, who filed for divorce in 2022, has been embroiled in a custody dispute since 2023, according to the police. Law enforcement has been called to the woman’s residence multiple times in relation to this ongoing dispute.
The father of the children told investigators that their mother had not enrolled the two children found at home in school and had no intention of doing so. However, the couple’s third child, a 7-year-old, is currently enrolled in school. The father is now working on enrolling the other two children in school.
Shvetz was arrested and later released from the Miami-Dade County Jail after posting bond. Her arraignment is scheduled for September 19.