# Oregon mother charged after police find kids in fire-damaged home

> Oregon mother faces child neglect charges after police discover children unable to wake her from home without electricity.
- Title: Oregon mother charged after police find kids in fire-damaged…
- Summary: Oregon mother faces child neglect charges after police discover children unable to wake her from home without electricity. Kari Marie Bennett, 31, charged…
- Keywords: child neglect, kari marie bennett, columbia county sheriff's office, scappoose, oregon, fire damage, no electricity, police report, Law & Crime
- Source: Law & Crime — https://lawandcrime.com/crime/kids-living-in-burned-out-house-with-no-electricity-told-cops-they-could-not-wake-mom-up-police
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: child neglect, kari marie bennett, columbia county sheriff's office, scappoose, oregon, fire damage, no electricity, police report, crime, news
## Kari Marie Bennett charged
Kari Marie Bennett, 31, charged with two felony counts of criminal mistreatment and two misdemeanor counts of child neglect.
## Home in Scappoose, Oregon
Police found Bennett and her two young children living in a fire-damaged home with no electricity or running water.
## DHS investigation began
Department of Human Services (DHS) investigation started in September after receiving a tip about Bennett and her children living in a dilapidated home.
## DHS report findings
DHS report said Bennett slept most of the day and was not watching her children.
## Home condition
The home was not structurally sound after a fire and had no electricity, running water or heat.
## Police visit
Columbia County Sheriff's Office deputies visited the home three days after the DHS report was issued.
## Children's account
Bennett's 2-year-old son answered the door wearing pajamas and a sagging diaper.
## Daughter's statement
Bennett's 4-year-old daughter told police she could not wake her mother up.
## Police wake Bennett
Police eventually were able to wake Bennett who explained she was homeless and trying to get a restraining order against her boyfriend.
## Children hospitalized
Both children were taken to the hospital on September 30 and tested positive for methamphetamine.
## Bennett released
Bennett was arrested and released with conditions including no contact with children without authorities present.
## Court date
Bennett is due to appear in court on November 23, 2.000.
## Key takeaway

Kari Marie Bennett, 31, charged with criminal mistreatment and child neglect after police found her and two young children living in a fire-damaged home with no electricity or running water.