Miami Beach, FL — A Florida woman was arrested after her two young children were discovered living alone in a filthy and neglected apartment, according to Miami-Dade police.
Neglect Charges for Mother of Two
Miriam Shvetz, 34, faces two counts of child neglect without great harm following the discovery of her 5-year-old and 9-year-old children in distressing conditions. Police were called to her condo on Collins Avenue after the children’s father found them unattended.
Children Found Alone in Filthy Home
The 911 call was made by Shvetz’s ex-husband, who had dropped the children off at their mother’s residence that afternoon. The children informed him that their mother wasn’t home, which surprised him as he had spoken to Shvetz earlier, and she hadn’t mentioned being absent.
Upon arriving at the condo, officers reported hearing a child crying on a video call to their mother. When they spoke with Shvetz, she allegedly admitted she wasn’t home and claimed she had things to do.
Shocking Conditions Inside the Condo
When officers entered the apartment, they found it in an appalling state. The apartment reeked of rotting food and urine, with filthy walls and floors. The kitchen was littered with dirty dishes and old food, attracting flies and insects. One of the toilets was clogged with waste, and feces was scattered throughout the bathroom floor.
Ongoing Custody Dispute
The arrest comes amid an ongoing custody battle between Shvetz and her ex-husband, which has been unfolding since 2023. The couple filed for divorce in 2022, and law enforcement has responded to multiple calls at Shvetz’s home related to the custody dispute.
Lack of School Enrollment
In a conversation with investigators, the children’s father revealed that Shvetz had not enrolled the children in school and had no plans to do so. However, their 7-year-old sibling is enrolled in school, and the father is in the process of enrolling the 5-year-old and 9-year-old as well.
