On Tuesday February 2, 2016, seven children were rescued from their home, a one bedroom filthy, cockroach-infested apartment in Ceres, CA.

Ceres police found all 7 children asleep on a couch in the apartment after a man and woman were reported fighting amongst each other in the 1900 block of Darrah Street according to Sgt. Jose Berber. The male, Jose Garcia (25-years-old) was also reportedly punching cars and damaging other things. Officers were led to the apartment in which Jose and his girlfriend Suzanne Luna (26-year-old) were living.

Neighbors at the apartment complex directed officials to the apartment. The filthy home was infested with cockroaches scurrying on the walls and through the cabinets, animal feces, and dirty laundry. Kitchen knives, garbage, and animal feces were found in various parts of the home. In the kitchen, they had illegally replaced the stove with a washing machine. The only source of running water in the apartment was the bathtub faucet but, the tub was filled with dirty laundry and standing water. There were three additional adults found there, all of them drunk. All three were arrested and later released.

Apparently the sister of Suzanne Luna, Amy Luna (24-year-old) was also living in the apartment along with her five children.

The three adults, Amy and Suzanne Luna and Jose Garcia were arrested and charged for child endangerment  that night. Suzanne Luna and Garcia being charged with two child endangerment counts and Amy with five. Amy Luna was bailed out and will not be arraigned until next month. And the couple’s bail is at $50,000.

All seven children were found sleeping on the couch, next to them there was fresh vomit. They were dirty and hadn’t showered in several days. They ranged from ages 2-9. One of them told Ceres Police officer that the only time they would eat was when they got hot lunch at school.

Child Protection Services took all the children and are currently in the process of placing them in foster homes. The oldest child (9-years-old) told officials she was happy to be finally taken out of the home and fostered. She was glad to have the proper care a child should have.

The only thing the children do not have that they are not provided much of, is clothing. The Ceres Police Department, Sgt. Jose Berber announced that the children are in need of clothing that fits the ages from 2-9 and are asking for donations.

Amended: Since date of reporting, community members have donated various amounts of clothing, toys, and blankets, as well as a $1,000 donation to go towards the children.