(West Columbia) August 19, 2003 - Police have arrested
19-year-old Chantal Latoya Williams. Investigators received a tip around 8:00pm that Williams was at a relative's Gaston home.
Police arrived and Williams reportedly saw the police cruisers and then turned herself in.
She is being held at the Lexington County detention center on several warrants. One for each of her children.
Officers say a passerby heard children crying inside Williams' Holland Street apartment on Monday. The man got no response after knocking at the door and then called police.
West Columbia Police Captain Jackie Brothers say they found
Williams' three children home alone, ages 9 months to a little less than 3 years, "When they found the children, the youngest, about 9 months old, was
completely unclothed and in the living room sitting on the floor eating out of a trash bag. And the two older children were in the bathtub. They got in there and turned on the water. The tub was full and overflowing into the floor and they were crying and screaming because they could not get out of the tub."
Neighbor Trixie Eden says she's familiar with the 19-year-old and her kids, "We know her to walk around the street with the babies in pouring rain, sunshine, whatever, and the babies are always dirty."
The children were treated at the Lexington Medical Center for dehydration. The Department of Social Services has custody of the kids.
Williams is charged with three counts of unlawful conduct towards a child. Each charge carries a potential ten year penalty in prison. Investigators say they don't know yet why Williams left.
Reported by Jennifer Miskewicz
Updated 9:52pm by BrettWitt
