ASHLAND -- A woman faces child endangerment charges after state police say her young children were left outside while she and her boyfriend were asleep inside the home.
Troopers said they were called to a home on Walnut Street in Ashland around 4 p.m. Monday because three children were left outside in inclement weather. When they went into the home, they found the children's mother and her boyfriend asleep.
According to state police, the mother, Carol Talanca, 35, of Ashland, and her boyfriend appeared to be under the influence of narcotics and didn't know what time or what day it was.
Newswatch 16 went to Talanca's home for comment Tuesday, but no one came to the door.
Talanca’s next-door neighbors did speak with Newswatch 16.
"I'm not surprised, but it sucks,” said Laurieann Lazarski, who helped the kids and invited them inside to get warm.
State police say it was sleeting and temperatures were freezing as Talanca's children 7-year old twins and a 10 year old tried to get into their home in Ashland after school.
"They were just banging on the window, they tried to open the window so I came outside with the phone, I asked them if they needed any help, at first the little girl was like 'No, we're good.' I said 'Do you need to call somebody?’” She said ‘Yeah, I need to try calling my mom.'” No answer. She called her mom like 14 times,” said neighbor Tom Lehman.
Neighbors say once state police took care of the children, they came to the back of the home and went inside where they found Talanca and her boyfriend asleep upstairs.
"Apparently the mom and the boyfriend were upstairs sleeping, yeah, she said she thought it was 5 in the morning or something,” said Lehman.
State police say Talanca and her boyfriend appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. Troopers say they didn't even know what day it was.
"I have a son myself and you should never neglect your kids, especially stuff like that and drugs? That's just horrible, come on, think of your kids first,” said Lehman.
State troopers say the girls were placed into the custody of Schuylkill County Children and Youth.
"As long as they're safe, you know, safe and taken care of, that's all that matters,” said Lazarski.
Police charged Talanca with reckless endangerment and child endangerment.