A mother-of-six who was found drunk after leaving her children, including a ten-month-old, home alone, has been jailed for six months.
Sentencing the 29-year-old at Birmingham Magistrates' Court, District Judge Gwyen Jones said by leaving her children unsupervised the "potential for harm" had been vast and she had paid "scant regard" to their interests.
The woman, who cannot be identified but is currently serving a prison sentence for offences of dishonesty, admitted six charges of child cruelty.
Paul Cahill, prosecuting, said concern had been expressed about some of the children by teachers because of their unkempt appearance and standards of hygiene. This led to social workers going to the address in Washwood Heath on September 26 last year where the defendant had been abusive towards them.
When they returned four days later, they discovered the front door of the property wide open and were greeted by a two-year-old who told them her mother was not at home.
Social workers then went to a different address in the same road where they saw the woman lying on a sofa. She had obviously been asleep and it became apparent she was very drunk.
Mr Cahill said the children were removed by social services and were now in care.
