A 22-year-old Winnipeg woman is facing a possible six-month jail sentence after she left her two young children alone in a filthy, fly-infested apartment so she could go out drinking.

Court heard the woman left her two year-old daughter and four-year-old disabled son alone in their room Nov. 22, 2012, and then went to a nearby bar to celebrate her 21st birthday.

A short time later, an anonymous tipster called Child and Family Services, who alerted police. Police arrived to find the children naked and crying with feces on the walls and floor. The children were taken to hospital, where they were cleaned up and treated for bed bug bites.

Crown attorney Sharyl Thomas said a community-based sentence is not appropriate in the circumstances and recommended the woman serve six months in jail.

The woman "showed a callous disregard for her children," Thomas said.

"She was their mother, she had a duty to protect them ... These kids were in grave danger. Anything could have happened to them that night."

The woman returned to the apartment after learning police had been called only to go back to the bar after her children were taken away.

Defence lawyer Ian McNaught said the woman was told she could not accompany her children to the hospital and resumed drinking "as a coping mechanism."

A pre-sentence report concluded the woman is a suitable candidate for a community-based sentence, noting she has taken significant steps to rehabilitate herself and become a better parent.

"She is not the same selfish young woman," McNaught said.

The woman's children remain in the care of CFS.

Judge Tracey Lord said she needed time to review the relevant case law and adjourned sentencing to March 11.

dean.pritchard@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @deanatwpgsun