Krystal Farmer, the Michigan mother accused of leaving her two young children alone for days in severely unsafe conditions, has pleaded guilty to all seven charges in the case.
Farmer, 27, entered the guilty pleas Monday in Genesee County Circuit Court. The case stems from a February welfare check that led police to a Flint Township home, where officers found her two children, both with special needs, alone inside.
The children, who were 3 and 4 years old at the time, were found in a home filled with trash and human waste and without food that was suitable for them, according to investigators. Police said one of the boys was found trying to eat raw, spoiled meat, while the other was found on the floor of a bedroom.
The conditions inside the home were severe enough that officers reported having difficulty walking normally because of the amount of trash covering the floor. A faucet had also been left running, allowing water to spill onto the floor.
The children were discovered after a neighbor contacted 911 on Feb. 18 and requested a welfare check. Police later determined that the boys had been left alone for several days.
The case resulted in seven felony charges against Farmer: two counts of child abandonment, four counts involving second-degree child abuse, including allegations involving the presence of another child, and one count of lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigation.
Farmer’s guilty plea does come with an important condition. She requested a Cobbs agreement, a Michigan court procedure that can give a defendant an indication of the sentence the judge may consider before the defendant’s plea is finalized.
Court records show there was no sentencing agreement with prosecutors. The records also indicate that consecutive sentencing will not apply and that any restitution will be determined by the court.
Farmer is also required to complete a pre-sentence investigation with adult probation before sentencing.
The case had previously been paused while Farmer underwent a competency evaluation. A court review in May found her competent to stand trial, allowing the criminal proceedings to continue.
The children were removed from the home after officers arrived and were reported to be safe. The initial investigation also highlighted the role of the neighbor whose call prompted police to check on the children.
Farmer is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 19. The sentence will determine the next stage of the case and whether the guilty plea remains in place under the terms of the requested Cobbs arrangement.
