IA Mom Who Left 6 & 7YO To Live Alone In Deplorable Conditions Asks For Probation To Undergo Treatment For Mental Health, Trauma

[Sugar Cookie]

A Des Moines mother was sentenced to up to 20 years in prison Monday for leaving her children in life-threatening conditions.

Amanda Leigh Myers, 42, had pleaded guilty of two counts of neglect or abandonment of a dependent person and two counts of child endangerment.

According to reports, a friend of the defendant’s called police on Dec. 20, 2023, and reported that she believed two children were alone in a mobile home.

Police found Myers’ two children, a girl age 7 and a boy age 6, in a home that was unfit to live in, including a lack of running water, heat, and food. It was infested with cockroaches, rotting garbage, and other dangerous conditions, evidence showed.

Detective Cheryl Nablo testified that the conditions were the worse that she has seen in 15 years on the Des Moines Police Department.

Shannon Wallace, the children’s guardian ad litem in the case, testified that the children were not potty trained, were afraid of bathing, and were unhealthy. They are now in school and progressing, but the boy is two years behind in learning. “They are sweet and loving kids, and they deserve a good life,” she told the court.

Ms. Myers’ parental rights were terminated.

She asked the judge to grant probation so that she could get treatment for her mental health issues, trauma from past abuse, and drug and alcohol abuse. “I ask you for help,” she said.

District Judge Jeffrey Ferrell agreed with the prosecution that the defendant should serve consecutive 10-year sentences. “It’s not just the bad, awful conditions in the home, but we could have had two dead children in the house,” because of the fire hazards and other dangerous conditions, he said. “The thing that tipped it for me is that you were not living there,” and abandoned the children.

https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/county-attorney/news/mother-sentenced-to-up-to-20-years-in-prison-for-abandoning-children/

Just looking at her you can tell she did not even put up a fight to keep custody of her children - which is actually a good thing.

 

[Rebooto]

She could have asked for help during the last seven years but didn't bother. I think she doesn't want help but walk around buying drugs and liquor.

 

[DaveL]

I'm sure it was very hard for her growing up - daughter of a single father, who worked as a butler for an eccentric family that kept a severed hand as a pet.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

If she was allowed to run the streets to get this help she wanted she would probably just end up pregnant again.