A concerned motorist called 911 after spotting five young children, all of them wearing heavily soiled diapers, attempting to cross busy U.S. Highway 19 in Hernando County, Fla. on Tuesday morning.

The motorist was able to stop the children, ranging in age from 5 to 1, before they entered traffic, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office stated in a release.

According to the report, the children were too young to tell police their names or the location of their parents.

Police say the children were in the area of a Motel 6 in Spring Hill. The children appeared to be trying to get to Weeki Wachee Springs, a tourist attraction where women perform as mermaids.

The youngest child, a 1-year-old girl, had a severe rash on various parts of her body, according to the sheriff's office. Paramedics called to the scene said the rash appeared to be several weeks old. The girl was later transported to a hospital for treatment.

After police had been at the scene for about 30 minutes, Samantha McCarthy approached the deputies. She said she had been sleeping in a room at the Motel 6 and just realized the children were missing.

McCarthy told police the door was locked, and she didn't know how the children got out.

She also said the 1-year-old had the rash for two to three days, and she planned to get her treatment later today.

A search of the motel room found no food and minimal clothing.

McCarthy, 24, was arrested and charged with child neglect. Her bond was set at $5,000.

Police didn't release McCarthy's relationship to the children.

The children were placed in the custody of Department of Children and Families.