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AUGUSTA, Ga. — This week, an Augusta mother found herself in legal trouble following a visit by a representative from the Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFACS) to the motel room where her family was staying.
According to reports, the DFACS worker reached out to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) after his attempts to get the mother to answer the door were unsuccessful.
The worker stated that 39-year-old Suzanne Shelton refused to open the door and was unwilling to let the DFACS representative see her five children, aged 12, 9, 7, 5, and 3.
When deputies managed to convince one of the children to open the door, they allegedly discovered a room in disarray, with trash strewn about and swarming with flies.
Authorities noted that the beds were bare, there was no clear path to walk, and a strong odor permeated the space, according to the reports.
Shelton allegedly told deputies that she was leaving the state in 3 days and one of the kids had been sick overnight. Two children were reportedly naked when they arrived.
Authorities questioned the suspect about the last time the children bathed as their skin was covered in dirt and their clothes were dirty and stained.
After the DFACS worked told deputies that Shelton was involved in an identical case in Thomson, EMS took the 5 children to MCG.
Suzanne Shelton is charged with 5 counts of Deprivation of a Minor.
She is no longer in the Richmond County Jail.