A 35-year-old Kentucky mother will spend time behind bars after her three children were left to endure “inhumane” conditions, including being forced to live outside for days without supervision.
Conviction and Sentence
Betty Sue Snider, 35, was sentenced to three years in a state correctional facility after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including wanton endangerment, endangering the welfare of a minor, and abandonment of a minor. The children, aged 10, 11, and 16, were found living in appalling conditions at Snider’s home in Louisville.
Investigation and Discovery
The investigation into Snider began in August 2024 when school officials reported that her 16-year-old child appeared neglected, dehydrated, and malnourished.
The school also noted that the younger siblings had stopped attending school, raising concerns for their safety. Authorities were alerted to the situation, and officers conducted a welfare check on August 29.
Upon arrival, first responders discovered the two younger children alone and showing signs of neglect, including visible injuries and hunger. The children reported sleeping outside in various locations behind the home, including tents, swings, and outdoor chairs.
Officers also described the inside of the home as “unlivable,” with bugs and trash throughout.
Snider’s Admission
When questioned by police, Snider admitted that she had not been inside the home for several months, acknowledging the living conditions were unfit. She also confessed to leaving the children unsupervised for extended periods.
Neighbors and Family Speak Out
Neighbors reported hearing the children screaming and fighting outside, even at early hours. Mary Buckhammer, the children’s great-grandmother, revealed that she had filed several reports with police and Child Protective Services about the conditions but had not received sufficient attention.
She also described how Snider would not allow the children to visit her despite living on the same block.
Snider entered an Alford plea in July 2024, which allowed her to maintain her innocence while acknowledging there was enough evidence for a conviction. The sentence of three years in prison serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of child neglect and abuse.
