Two Missouri parents have been charged after police say they left their two young children alone for several hours inside a hazardous apartment, where officers found the children locked in a bedroom with a broken window and unsanitary living conditions.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Desiree Ching, 32, and David Croft, 39, each face two counts of endangering the welfare of a child following the incident on July 13.
Welfare Check Leads to Disturbing Discovery
Police responded to an apartment building in the 600 block of North Grand Boulevard in St. Louis after receiving a request for a welfare check.
Witnesses reportedly told officers they had seen one of the young children hanging near an open window, raising fears that the child could fall from the high-rise apartment.
When officers knocked on the apartment door and received no answer, they entered the residence to check on the children’s safety.
Children Found Locked Inside Bedroom
Inside the apartment, officers discovered a bedroom door that had been locked from the outside, preventing anyone inside from leaving the room.
When police opened the door, they found two children, ages 5 and 3, alone inside.
According to court documents, both children were completely naked when they were found.
Apartment Described as Unsafe
Investigators said the room was in extremely poor condition.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the bedroom walls were covered in feces, and a broken window exposed the children to a dangerous drop from the 14th floor of the building.
Police determined it was apparent that the children had been locked inside the room for at least several hours before officers arrived.
Children Taken for Medical Care
Emergency responders transported both children to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Authorities have not released information about their medical condition or where they were placed after leaving the hospital.
Mother Arrested, Father Also Charged
Police said Desiree Ching later arrived at the hospital and identified herself as the children’s mother. Court documents do not specify where she had been while the children were left alone.
She was arrested and booked into the St. Louis Justice Center, where she remains held without bond.
David Croft later arrived at the apartment and identified himself as the children’s father. He was also arrested on child endangerment charges.
However, investigators later determined that Croft had gone to work that morning after leaving the children in Ching’s care. He was subsequently released on his own recognizance.
Investigation Continues
Authorities have not announced who currently has custody of the children or whether additional charges may be filed.
The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors move forward with the child endangerment case against both parents. The charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
