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KSL/AP -- A 38-year-old mother and her one-month-old daughter were removed from their home after police found them living in unsanitary conditions.
Salt Lake City Police Lieutenant Dave Askerlund says officers went to the home yesterday afternoon and found the infant "was not being cared for properly."
Askerlund says the baby was wrapped in a blanket covered with human feces. He says there was feces all over the apartment and apparently the baby was somewhat emaciated, like it was getting dehydrated.
The state's Division of Child and Protective Services says this type of neglect isn't uncommon.
Carol Sisco, Dept. of Child & Family Services: "Neglect is really failure to provide basic food, shelter, clothing, protection, that sort of thing. It's about 20-percent of our caseload."
DCFS says it needs to speak with the child's mother to determine why the child was left in such unhealthy conditions.
They also say the girl will remain in state custody, but hope to find a family member who can care for the infant while they investigate.
Askerlund says the mother was also taken to the hospital due to medical problems. He says the mother's mental state will be evaluated. The case is now be handled by DCFS.
