A 34-year-old Florida woman, Miriam Shvetz, has been arrested and charged with two counts of child neglect after her young children were found living alone in a severely unsanitary apartment in Miami Beach. The disturbing discovery was made by police responding to a 911 call from Shvetz’s ex-husband, who had just dropped the children off at her residence.
Children Left Alone, Crying and Unattended
According to the arrest report, the incident unfolded on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach on Thursday, when Shvetz’s 5-year-old and 9-year-old children informed their father that their mother was not home. Shocked by the revelation, the father contacted law enforcement immediately. He told police that Shvetz had failed to mention any plans to be away when he spoke to her earlier that day.
When police arrived at the condominium, they allegedly heard one of the children crying during a video call with their mother. Officers then spoke with Shvetz, who admitted that she had asked her ex-husband to drop the children off but claimed she couldn’t come home right away because she “had things to do.”
Unlivable Conditions Inside the Home
The condition of the apartment was described by officers as horrific. The arrest report states:
The apartment smelled strongly of rotting food and urine
Walls and floors were filthy, and flies and insects were present
The kitchen was filled with dirty dishes and old food
One toilet was clogged and full of urine and feces
Feces were also found on the bathroom floor
Police did not report any immediate physical harm to the children, but the neglect charges reflect the unfit and unsafe environment they were found in.
Ongoing Custody Battle
Court records show that Shvetz and her ex-husband filed for divorce in 2022, and a custody dispute has been ongoing since 2023. Authorities revealed that police had already been called to the apartment multiple times in relation to previous custody-related concerns.
Investigators learned that the two children found alone had not been enrolled in school, and according to the father, their mother had no plans to enroll them. The couple’s third child, a 7-year-old, is currently attending school. The father is now reportedly working to enroll the two younger children and has been added to the school’s records for that purpose.
Arrest and Release
Shvetz was arrested on Thursday and booked into Miami-Dade County Jail. She has since been released on bond, according to court records. No additional charges have been announced at this time.
As the investigation continues, child welfare authorities are likely to become involved, and the custody situation will be re-evaluated by the courts.
