Girls Found Alone In 'Unsafe, Unsanitary' Apartment While Mom At Work

ABERDEEN, MD — A mom has been arrested after police say she left her young daughters alone in their apartment in "unsafe and unsanitary living conditions."

Aberdeen police officers were called to the apartment, located in the unit block of Northeast Road, around 11:32 a.m. on Thursday. When officers arrived, they found two girls, ages 3 and 5, inside the apartment.

The children appeared to be lethargic and were taken to the hospital to be evaluated, the police department stated.

The girls' mother, 23-year-old Kahliyah Gooding, was found at her place of employment, where she was arrested and charged.

According to police, Gooding told officers that she had been leaving the children home alone while she worked because she could not afford daycare.

This arrest follows a similar child neglect investigation involving Gooding on May 6, at which time she was also charged.

Child Protective Services has taken custody of the children, the police department shared.

The police department is still investigating the incident.