Toddlers nearly hit by car lead police to home with unresponsive infants, toddler with bleach bottle

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) - A Tennessee mother is facing multiple child neglect charges after police say four of her eight children were left alone at a dirty home with no air conditioning.

Keenia Haynes is charged with four counts of child neglect after Memphis Police say four of her children – a 2-year-old, a 3-year-old and 2-month-old twins – were left home alone Wednesday.

Police were called just after 2:45 p.m. Wednesday regarding a child welfare concern. Officers arriving in the area saw two children, ages 2 and 3, running into the street and nearly being hit by a car. The toddlers then pointed officers toward a nearby home.

Inside, officers found no adults. However, they found 2-month-old twins secured in car seats. Both of them were unresponsive, according to police.

Officers also noted the home lacked air conditioning and was dirty, and they found a toddler trying to drink from a bleach bottle in the kitchen.

First responders arrived on scene and fed the infants, who then became responsive.

At 3:45 p.m., Haynes returned to the home carrying a bottle of beer. She reportedly said she had only been gone for 30 minutes. She also told officers she had gone to Kroger to buy food but accidentally left her debit card there.

Haynes was arrested.

Police say she has eight children, four of whom – ranging in age from 7 to 13 – were at school at the time. The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services was contacted to assist with custody and care arrangements for all eight children.