Police discovered five unsupervised children sleeping on bare mattresses in a dirty, unlocked flat

A two-year-old child was found with faeces smeared on their legs and in their hair after police discovered five children left alone in an unlocked, filthy Cardiff flat while their mother worked as a cleaner.

Cardiff Crown Court heard on Tuesday how social services had requested a welfare check at the property earlier this year. When officers arrived, they found the front door ajar. Inside, the scene was grim.

Five children, aged between 15 and two years old, were discovered asleep on bare mattresses strewn across the flat. There were no duvets or bedding in sight. The youngest child wore a heavily soiled nappy, with faeces running down their legs and matted into their hair.

The court was told that the flat was in a “disgraceful” state. Items lay scattered throughout, and several parts of the home were visibly in disrepair. Prosecutor Sol Hartley presented CCTV footage capturing the shocking conditions the children were left in, underlining the complete absence of adult supervision.

The mother, who cannot be named to protect the identities of the children, had left them behind while she went out to work as a cleaner. She returned to the flat later that day and was arrested.

During questioning, she admitted leaving the children unattended but said she had no other choice. She claimed she had attempted to find childcare but was unable to afford it. The court, however, heard she made no formal application for support or assistance.

The judge was told this was not the first concern raised about the woman’s parenting. Social services had previously been involved with the family, although no recent intervention had occurred before this incident.

In court, the woman showed visible remorse and cried throughout the proceedings. Her barrister said she had been “struggling to cope” financially and emotionally, and had taken the cleaning job in desperation to support her family.

Despite her plea for leniency, Judge Rhys Morgan described the case as “deeply distressing” and condemned the mother’s “complete abdication of responsibility.” He said: “Leaving five children, including a toddler, in such squalid conditions with no supervision is utterly unacceptable. Your children were exposed to serious risk.”

The judge also noted that the psychological and physical harm inflicted upon the children could have long-lasting effects. “The two-year-old was found in a state no child should ever experience,” he said. “It was not only neglect—it was dangerous.”

The mother avoided an immediate prison sentence but was handed a suspended sentence and ordered to complete a parenting programme, 200 hours of unpaid work, and remain under social services supervision. The children have since been placed in temporary care.

Speaking after the hearing, a spokesperson from Cardiff Council said: “This case highlights the critical importance of safeguarding children. We will continue to work closely with the family and other agencies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all the children involved.”

The case has sparked renewed calls for greater access to affordable childcare and increased support for single parents in low-income households. Social workers involved said more preventative measures and community outreach are needed to avoid similar cases in the future.