Four children were removed from a home by the Department of Children and Families after their parents were arrested and found them living in filth, authorities said Thursday.
"DCF has an open investigation at this time. The four children were removed from the home and have been placed in relative care. There is a history with this family," said DCF spokeswoman Lissette Valdes-Valle.
Renee Marie Garcia, 31, and Gabriel DeJesus Orellana, 35, were arrested. According to online records, Garcia faces charges including possession of cannabis 20 grams or less, prostitution and four counts of child neglect. Orellana faces charges including four counts of child neglect and drug paraphernalia/posession with intent to use.
It wasn't immediately known if they had attorneys. Garcia was being held on $12,500 bond and Garcia on $8,500.
Miami Police said they got a call to respond to 971 West Flagler Street regarding a child being beaten by her father and perhaps offering the child to have sex with men.
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Undercover officers found that the wife was offering to prostitute herself and they arranged a meeting between her and an undercover officer, authorities said. She agreed to have sex in exchange for money but first wanted to buy drugs, authorities said. She bought the drugs and then took the officer to their apartment, authorities said. The officer saw drug paraphernalia, and a filthy home with the four children, two girls and two boys, authorities said.
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"The apartment had garbage in every inch of the floor. The refrigerator was completely empty with mildew and there was no food in the house," the arrest affidavit said.
Garcia and Orellana refused to explain what was going on and asked for an attorney, the affidavit said.
A neighbor said he called police three weeks ago.
"Four in the morning, the door is slamming, bam, bam, bam. I see the kids running around or them going in and out to do whatever they do or strange guys coming in," said David Basterrechea, a neighbor.
