St. Thomas police arrested a mother Friday and charged her with parental neglect domestic violence after she left her three minor children at home without a working toilet or running water.
Janeila Jackson, 30, was arrested at approximately 10 a.m. Friday, after officers were sent to her house to investigate what was going on. When they arrived, they heard one of the children yelling from behind the door, which was locked with a chain and padlock. Human Services officials were then called to inspect the house and the conditions the children, ages 10, 9 and 7, were living in.
Police also found that the apartment did not have running water and a bucket was being used as a toilet, according to V.I Police Department news release. Further investigation showed that Jackson was living in a separate apartment a few feet from where the children were living. Jackson was found in the second residence, which had running water and a toilet.
Human Services took custody of the children and arrested Jackson, the release said. Her bail has been denied due to the nature of the crime and she has been remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending further court action.
