FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. (TCN) — A 41-year-old woman has been charged with three counts of child neglect after her children were discovered living in what authorities describe as deplorable conditions.
Deputies from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrived at Carla Nishikura’s home on July 16 after a neighbor called to request a welfare check, ClickOrlando reports. The neighbor had allegedly seen one of Nishikura’s children wandering around outside naked.
Nishikura reportedly told deputies her child is nonverbal, has autism, and escaped the home because she forgot to zip-tie the doors closed. Inside the home, deputies allegedly found the floor caked with feces, urine, and cracked eggs, and saw exposed wiring from electrical outlets in reach of Nishikura’s three children, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by ClickOrlando.
Bodycam footage viewed by Gulf Coast News Now allegedly showed a deputy describing one of the bedrooms as a litter box. Nishikura allegedly replied to him, “A litter box? You know what, choose your choice of words, sir.”
WESH reports Nishikura had allegedly been in contact with the Department of Children and Families and they had set up a time for a cleaning crew to come to the home. The cleaners allegedly decided not to complete the cleaning because of biohazardous conditions.
Nishikura was arrested and is facing three counts of child neglect without great bodily harm. She is being held on $2,500 bond for each count, according to ClickOrlando. Gulf Coast News Now reports Nishikura’s children have found placement through DCF.
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