UGUSTA, Ga. -- Twin sisters in Augusta are in jail, accused of leaving their four children alone in a filthy apartment for hours.
Authorities say they received an anonymous call that a child was walking around outside with no clothes on. Investigators responded to Hunter's Run Apartments off Center West Parkway around 6:30am. They did find a child outside naked.
Deputies say they arrived to find the door to apartment 6G wide open and four children with no adults around. All were ages two to four. The incident report describes trash scattered everywhere in the apartment, feces on the wall by the kitchen, and two bath tubs full of water. It also describes feces on the porch and on one child.
According to the report, the four-year-old child complained of being hungry. When Deputy Walker looked for food, all he could find was a pack of frozen hot dogs and french fries on the bedroom floor.
Cameshia Towns is the mother of two of the children, ages four and two. She was eventually found in another building and arrested.
While leaving Hunter's Run, Towns allegedly pointed out her twin sister, Kateshia Allen, pulling out of nearby River Creek Apartments. Officers arrested Allen shortly after at a gas station on Washington Road. Allen is the mother of the two- and three-year-olds.
The twin sisters are now in jail, each charged with two counts of deprivation of a minor.
Neighbor Tashea Bryant did not know the family well but says she's shocked. "I don't believe it because I love kids. It makes you want to have more love for your child, be more aware of who you take your kids around."
Lashundra Smith is a nurse. She works with elderly people whom she says are often neglected by their family. "But just imagine-kids...I think it's just weird that we as everyday people can be clueless as to what's going on in our environment."
Managers of the complex refused to comment except to say they never knew of any problems in 6G.
Bryant says, "I would never think that it would happen at Hunter's Run because its quiet, everybody's in the pool, everybody talks." Smith agrees. "That's sad to even know it could be right next door to you... and you didn't even know."
Neighbors tell News 12 that patrol cars drive by at least twice a night-- they usually feel safe. Smith points out, "Maintenance is always riding around all day. The manager from the office drives through all day, every day. So I wouldn't even think it."
Smith admits you never know a person's situation or problems, but she believes there's no excuse. "Their own kids, that's what I cant get over. They're your child."
Deputies say when they arrested Kateshia Allen, they asked her if she knew where her kids were. The report says she had "received a phone call about what happened and was advised of the situation with her children, but then [she] laughed." The children are now in protective custody with the Department of Family and Children Services.
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