A 26-year-old mother of three children was arrested on child neglect charges on Monday morning, April 23 as authorities placed the youth in protective care.

Officials at Virginia Parks Elementary School contacted Ceres Police after becoming concerned about the appearance of two sibling students, aged 5 and 7, who reeked of urine, wore dirty clothes, and suffered rotting teeth from dental neglect. School officials had conducted a check of the children's home and found the house to be dirty and unsafe. One of the students had missed school for 18 days this school year and came to school one day with red marks on his face in the shape of a hand print. It was also reported the mother of the children drives them to school without car seats.

Police showed up at the unsanitary home and arrested Jennifer Aboytes Chavez, 26, who admitted she uses methamphetamine and neglected the children, said Ceres Police Department spokesman Lt. Chris Perry. Police learned that Chavez also had a 3-year-old girl in the home as well. Child Protective Services took custody of all three children in order to provide proper care for them.

Chavez was booked for child neglect. Anyone with additional information regarding this matter is urged to call Detective Amador at 538-5729.