Gastonia police find children 4, 5, and 7 drunk outside home

GASTONIA, N.C. — A Gastonia mother is charged after police found her three children ages 4,5, and 7 outside their home drunk on vodka.

Today at 5, Channel 9's Ken Lemon speaks to neighbors about what they saw and the problem of child neglect in North Carolina.

The Gaston Gazette reports emergency workers were called to the apartment on Hartford Drive just before 8:30 p.m. Monday about an overdose.

Police said the oldest child had defecated outside and was simulating sex acts on her brother. All three children were “heavily intoxicated” and were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Tyeisha Coneisha Streater (image courtesy Gaston County Sheriff's Office)

Tyeisha Coneisha Streater, 26, is accused of leaving the children alone for at least seven hours. Police said they found multiple empty bottles of vodka in the apartment. Streater was jailed on charges of misdemeanor child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Police say Tyeisha Streater’s 4,5, & 6 year old children found drunk & home alone for 7 hours. They were hospitalized for alcohol consumption. Streater says the vodka bottle were filled with water. We talked to a man who stepped in to help the children. At 5 on @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/nwH2Dim2Jn
— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) May 1, 2018

Bond was set at $25,000.

There are resources available for parents who may feel overwhelmed. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says asking for help is a sign of strength. Call Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina at 1-800-CHILDREN. They can put you in touch with someone who can offer support and help. Or contact your: