Indiana police were called to a home after neighbors reported hearing babies crying while their mother was in a nearby jail.
According to court documents obtained by local Fox affiliate WXIN, police responded to reports of a vehicle colliding with a pole at an intersection in Muncie early on March 12.
Sandra Henriquez, 32, was inside the car and allegedly slurred her words, according to police.
When officers noticed a car seat in the vehicle, they asked Henriquez if she had any children. She reportedly stated at 7:22 a.m. that she had “no dependents.”
According to documents obtained by the Muncie Star Press, she informed staff at the Delaware County Jail about 30 minutes later that she had children but was “unwilling” to share her home address.
Meanwhile, Muncie Police Department officers responded to calls from Henriquez’s neighbors who claimed to have heard babies crying inside a home around 2:22 p.m. the same day.
According to court documents, police forced their way into the home and discovered two babies — one a year old and the other nine days old — both in heavily soiled diapers.
According to the documents, the newborn showed signs of malnutrition, such as blue extremities and lips. The older baby was reportedly in good health.
Both babies were rushed to the hospital for treatment, with the newborn reportedly receiving a feeding tube.
Police also allegedly discovered several open beer cans and a dog in a cage with no food or water.
According to WXIN, Henriquez was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Division and interviewed around 3 p.m.
She allegedly told police that she went to Big Shots Pub around 12:30 a.m. that morning after drinking a 6-pack of 16 oz. Budweiser cans. Henriquez allegedly admitted leaving her two babies at home.
Henriquez is now facing preliminary charges for neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily harm, abandonment, two counts of neglect of a dependent, and obstruction of justice.
She is currently in custody at the Delaware County Jail on a $42,500 bond.
