Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's deputies have arrested a woman and booked her with cruelty to children and a dog.
Mary Semien, 33, of Lake Charles, was booked with four counts of cruelty to juveniles; cruelty to animals; possession of synthetic marijuana; and illegal use of a controlled substance in the presence of juveniles.
The investigation began in August when deputies were called to a home on North Bilbo Street by a report of children home alone.
When they arrived they found Semien, and questioned her. She allegedly admitted she left her children alone for about 15 minutes while she went to a neighbor's home. The children were four years, two years, one year and three months old, deputies say.
Deputies went in the home and found those children locked in a room with no air conditioning on. Three of the four children had soiled diapers. The deputies also allegedly found the home in poor condition with very little food, and later found synthetic marijuana and an emaciated dog who had no food or water, deputies say.
After detectives interviewed Semien she was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center. Judge Sharon Wilson set her bond at $6,000.
Emergency medical personnel were called on scene to evaluate the children and they were released to a family member by the Department of Children and Family Services.
Calcasieu Parish Animal Services responded and removed the dog.
CPSO Deputy Robert Nordan IV is the arresting deputy on this case. CPSO Detective Monte Gentry in the lead investigator on this case.
