Siblings found living in abandoned school bus in Splendora

A Montgomery County sheriff's deputy steps through trash and junk surrounding an old school bus where two young children were found living unsupervised Wednesday in Splendora. The 11-year-old girl and her brother, 5, were taken into protective custody. less A Montgomery County sheriff's deputy steps through trash and junk surrounding an old school bus where two young children were found living unsupervised Wednesday in Splendora. The 11-year-old girl and her ... more Photo: Brett Coomer Photo: Brett Coomer Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close Siblings found living in abandoned school bus in Splendora 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

SPLENDORA - A broken-down school bus on a garbage-strewn lot in Montgomery County was home until Wednesday for two children whose parents apparently are in prison.

A postal worker discovered a girl, 11, and her 5-year-old brother about 10 a.m. while making rounds along Three S Street near Circle H, officials said.

"They appeared to be unsupervised," said Jamie Nash with the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.

The bus had been converted into quarters for the children, with bunk beds and a window-mounted air conditioner. But shocked local officials said the youngsters' living conditions were deplorable. What little food they could get at was in another building on the lot.

"Everyone who was on the scene talked about the odor - there was a lot of trash on the property," Nash said.

The concerned postal worker left a message about the children with Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace James Metts, known in the community for having a deep interest in juvenile issues.

Metts, in turn, passed the word along to Precinct 4 Constable Rowdy Hayden, who went to the scene himself.

The heavily wooded property where the bus is parked is dotted with signs warning against trespassers. Bicycles and toys lay scattered about, while a large mixed-breed dog slept under the bus.

Hayden found a woman on the property who is believed to be the children's great-aunt. The woman said she works a 12-hour shift Monday through Friday, but was always with the children at night.

"Whether she was there or not, they were being unsupervised for extended periods. It's not acceptable," Nash said.

The children said they were home-schooled and are not listed on the rolls at the Splendora Independent School District, officials said.

Always barefoot

The girl and her brother were often seen running in the area at night.

"They always had dirty clothes on (and) no shoes, even in the winter," said Gayla Payne, who lives nearby.

The girl told Payne's daughter that she bathed only twice a week.

"The girl's hair was always messed up," said another neighbor, Myra Langston. "She looks unkempt, like she doesn't shower."

Hayden called Child Protective Services, which has also launched an investigation.

CPS caseworkers are talking to family members to learn if a relative can provide adequate care for the children.

"It not, we'll take custody and place them in foster care," said Gwen Carter, a CPS spokeswoman.

There was no indication that either child had been physically abused, Carter said. "They just need to be cleaned up right now."

Clean beds, food - now

The children's parents are believed to be Mark and Sherrie Shorten, both of Splendora, who were convicted in federal court in Louisiana of embezzling money from victims of Hurricane Ike in 2008.

According to prosecutors, Sherrie Shorten helped the victims obtain loans to repair storm damage. The loans were then deposited in a bank account to pay the contractor - her husband.

They later emptied the account without finishing the work, officials said.

Both were sentenced to 18 months in prison early this year. On Wednesday, the attorney representing Sherrie Shorten in that case couldn't be reached for comment.

Metts, the justice of the peace, said he was glad the children will now sleep in clean beds and have enough to eat.

"But it does raise the question: How did they slip through the cracks?" he noted.

mike.glenn@chron.com

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