BERNIE COUNTY (Aulander) — Six children, the youngest a 2-month-old infant, were discovered unsupervised Sunday in a rural Aulander home lacking a working toilet and showing evidence of serious sanitation problems, authorities said. The mother was arrested and criminally charged after deputies inspected the residence and called in social services.
The Bertie County Sheriff’s Office said the children were found in a house on the 1200 block of Brick Mill Road. A sergeant responding to the scene contacted the mother by phone and directed her to return home. Once she arrived, deputies spoke with her and conducted an inspection that revealed multiple hazardous conditions, according to an arrest warrant.
“The children ranged in age from 2 months to 11 years old,” the sheriff’s office said.
Charges and follow-up
Officials said the 31-year-old mother was taken into custody shortly after deputies completed the inspection. She faces 12 counts of misdemeanor child abuse and six counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the sheriff’s office reported.
The Bertie County Department of Social Services initially took custody of the children and later released them to family members, the office said. Investigators did not disclose how long the children had been left unattended.
Conditions inside the home
The arrest warrant described the residence as unsafe and unsanitary. Inspectors documented accumulated trash, insect infestation, lack of functioning toilets and inadequate food supplies. Deputies said those findings prompted their decision to involve child welfare workers.
Authorities shared few additional details about the investigation, including whether the family had a prior history with social services or law enforcement. The sheriff’s office also did not specify the exact timeline of when children were left alone before deputies arrived.
Local context and immediate impact
Aulander is a small town in northeastern North Carolina roughly 110 miles from Raleigh. Incidents involving unsanitary living conditions and unattended young children often trigger coordinated responses from law enforcement and child welfare agencies because of the immediate health and safety risks they pose, particularly for infants and young children.
At this stage, the children are in the care of family members while the criminal case proceeds. Prosecutors will decide whether to pursue the charges based on the sheriff’s report and other investigative materials. The Bertie County Department of Social Services will continue assessments to determine the children’s longer-term needs and placement options.
What officials typically do in similar cases
When deputies encounter children in unsafe homes, standard procedure includes ensuring the immediate safety of the minors, documenting conditions, notifying child protective services and arresting caretakers if probable cause exists for criminal charges. The presence of infants or significant sanitation problems commonly accelerates those interventions.
- Immediate custody: Children are often placed temporarily with social services.
- Criminal investigation: Law enforcement gathers evidence and may arrest suspects for abuse or neglect.
- Family placement: If suitable relatives are available, social services may transfer custody to family members pending further review.
What’s next
Legal proceedings for the mother will follow the usual court process; initial charges stem from the conditions observed by deputies and the decisions made by child welfare staff. Community members with concerns about child safety are encouraged to contact local law enforcement or the Bertie County Department of Social Services to report suspected neglect or unsafe living conditions.
Authorities have not released the mother’s name in statements; further updates will be available as the sheriff’s office and district attorney provide additional information during the investigation and any ensuing court actions.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | 1200 block of Brick Mill Road near Aulander |
| Children found | 6 (ages 2 months to 11 years) |
| Charges | 12 counts misdemeanor child abuse; 6 counts contributing to delinquency |
Local law enforcement and social services said the priority remains the health and safety of the children while investigators complete their work.
