MASON CITY – A Mason City mom accused of leaving her three children in a room smeared with feces pled guilty in a felony abandonment case and received a deferred judgement and probation.
The incident began last summer. On August 30, 2016, at 12:43 AM, Mason City police officers were dispatched to 151 7th Street SW to do a welfare check on 4 children. Neglect and unsanitary issues were allegedly going on in the house. Officers responded and witnessed a putrid odor while standing outside the house. Officers verified there were 3 young children locked in a small bedroom with little ventilation. The children had allegedly been locked in the room for a long time, apparently without access to a bathroom or anyone changing their diapers. Suspected human feces was evident throughout the small room on the floors and walls. A 4th, youngest child was in a playpen in a different room in the house.
Police say the mother of the children, Alexis Rae Martinez (now 26-years-old), was home and cooperative.
Officers contacted Department of Human Services (DHS) from the scene. DHS employees declined to respond. Officers refused to allow the children to remain there. Officers contacted family relatives and made arrangements to have the children go to a relative’s residence until DHS would get involved and oversee decisions on long-term living arrangements. Police also notified the City rental inspector later that morning. The house was white-tagged at approximately 9:30 AM that same morning due to health and safety issues.
The investigating officer applied for an arrest warrant for Martinez after completing the investigation and that application was granted by a judge. Martinez was arrested on September 12, 2016 for three counts of Neglect or Abandonment of a Dependent Person (Class C Felonies) stemming from the incident.
Martinez remained in the Cerro Gordo county jail on $30,000 cash bond (10%) as she awaited a court date. Records show that on September 26, Martinez posted $3,000 cash bond and was released from jail. On October 3, Martinez and her public defender submitted a plea of not-guilty to the three charges of abandonment.
Martinez faced a jury earlier this year until she and her public defender entered a guilty plea to one count of felony abandonment.
At sentencing this week, Martinez was given a deferred judgement and four years of probation. A $1,000 fine was suspended, but, she must pay $3,280.00 in court costs.
Matt, I have been told that knowing what happened to the children is a privacy issue. We have no right to know. It seems we should have the right to know if they were taken away from her or not. We don’t need to know whom they are with.
so, where are the kids now? If they gave them back to her, that is messed up. I would really like to know. Keep an eye on this crazy woman.
Believe it or not – there is alot more like her out there – liberals as in democrat. -rat rat rat.
Constant judgmental comments all day long, every article on this site. Shame on you who have nothing better to do with your time and treasure. We all have our demons.
Lock yourself in a poop covered room. Then talk.
Why do you wish to inflict pain on others?
What demon do you suppose it was that caused her to treat her children this way. Also, what church do you go to.
People like this shouldn’t have children. She should also get spayed (sp)
You know Cerro Gordo’s judicial system is funked, when you get in more trouble for smoking weed, than you do for harming a child and messing up their whole life.
for her 4 year probation she should live in the sh*t covered room!!