Last Saturday, not far from my neighborhood, law enforcement responded to a 9-1-1 call from a peaceful, suburban area. A neighbor reported that a young girl had climbed over their fence and entered their screened-in patio. The child was non-verbal, and authorities later discovered that she is autistic.
When officers arrived, they managed to learn from the girl that she lived next door. Upon knocking, a woman spoke from behind the door but refused to open it. Eventually, the woman climbed over the backyard fence and approached the officers at the front. She claimed she had been asleep and had no idea the child had escaped.
When officers requested to check the home for “environmental hazards,” she denied them entry. Later that day, police were called back to the same residence; the girl had once again fled to the neighbor’s house. This time, the woman told the officers she was “at the end of her rope” and feared that if they entered, they would contact the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
The following day, a DCF investigator arrived at the home. Entering through the back door, the investigator was met with a shocking scene.
Inhabitable Conditions
Police records indicated a strong odor of feces and urine permeating the air. The floor was buried under heaps of trash, making it impossible to see the ground beneath. There were no functioning bathrooms, and the woman, Sarah Jenkins, 43, admitted they were using a bucket to dispose of waste in the backyard. Insects of various kinds swarmed, and mold had taken over the entire house. There was no access to food.
Most distressingly, in Jenkins’s bedroom, beside her bed, investigators found a large homemade cage constructed from wood and chicken wire, tall enough to reach the ceiling, with enough space for a twin bed. Inside the cage were a blanket and a pillow. Jenkins told officers that she used the cage to keep the child inside at night, claiming it was a measure to protect the girl from escaping. Each morning, the child would scream until Jenkins let her out.
At least one other child lived in the home, possibly two. Reports varied, but at least one child shared a bed with Jenkins. The authorities took the children into custody and arrested Jenkins, who appeared before a judge on charges of child neglect and aggravated child abuse. Her bond was set at $22,500.
Why Did This Happen?
Writing this makes me feel uneasy. This narrative is part of the “true crime” genre, but it feels different from the usual tales of violent crimes. Instead, it evokes a sense of sadness. Part of me wants to condemn Jenkins for her actions towards those vulnerable children, especially a child with autism who deserves love and care. Yet, another part of me wonders what personal struggles led her to this point. Why didn’t she seek help? Did she even know it was an option?
In a dilapidated home lacking basic necessities, during a pandemic, and sweltering Florida summer, without any school support for a child requiring constant care… Did Sarah Jenkins suffer from mental health issues? Was she battling addiction? Police reports did not indicate drug use in the home. How long had they been living under such atrocious conditions? What pushed her to this breaking point?
I don’t mean to excuse her behavior—children must always come first. But, as a parent with support systems in place, I occasionally feel overwhelmed. It’s hard to fathom what it’s like for a single caregiver managing multiple children, especially when one is nonverbal and prone to escaping. When someone feels hopeless and surrounded by crumbling walls, how long before they surrender to despair?
Looking at the images from Jenkins’s home, it’s hard not to recognize signs of mental illness. Living in such squalor is not indicative of a healthy mind. Perhaps she was simply neglectful or abusive. Yet, it’s also possible that Sarah Jenkins was a person at her wit’s end, convinced no help was available.
Neglecting children is a serious crime, as it should be. These children deserve love and care. The thought of a child confined in a cage, especially without the ability to vocalize her needs, is heartbreaking. However, I hope that the authorities who intervened approach Jenkins with a mindset aimed at helping her heal, as it’s evident she was struggling too.
For those interested in related topics, check out this blog post for more insights. Additionally, Make a Mom provides excellent resources on home insemination, and ASRM offers invaluable information for those navigating pregnancy.
Search Queries:
- Child neglect cases
- Autism support resources
- Signs of mental illness
- Caring for autistic children
- Parenting challenges
Summary
The case of Sarah Jenkins reflects a troubling intersection of neglect, mental health struggles, and the challenges of parenting, particularly with a child who has special needs. While the conditions in her home were inexcusable, there’s a need to understand the broader context of her struggles. This situation underscores the importance of support systems for caregivers facing overwhelming circumstances, especially during difficult times.
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