Woman out of jail after deplorable conditions found in North Miami home

Lourdes Ruiz, boyfriend face felony child neglect charges

NORTH MIAMI, Fla. ā€“ Lourdes Ruiz walked out of the home Saturday that police said is dirty and filled with garbage -- conditions they said are unfit for her three children.

Ruiz appeared in bond court Friday after both she and her boyfriend, Wanick Cadet, 35, were arrested. Ruiz was arrested on three counts of child neglect.

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North Miami police were called to the home based on a tip and said the conditions inside were deplorable -- roaches and flies throughout; garbage piled ankle-high, including in the children's room; the children's bed covered in plastic; a mattress covered in mold and feces.

Ruiz was granted pretrial services and was able to leave jail Friday night. Photos online and from her LinkedIn page show she used to work for a Department of Children and Families contractor, Our Kids of Miami, though it seems that's no longer the case.

"I lost my job in January. I'm a temp worker, so I don't know if I'm going to be working next week," Ruiz said in bond court.

Though Saturday she was unhappy to see Local 10 News, Ruiz's sister, Nilsa Ruiz, said her unemployment spiraled Ruiz into a deep depression.

"Very overwhelmed by a lot of circumstances and maybe that's what led up to this, too, because when somebody is depressed, it could lead up to this, too," Nilsa Ruiz said.

Cadet was also arrested on three counts of felony child neglect with no great bodily harm.

DCF officials told Local 10 News that they have no prior history with the family.

The children are now in the custody of their grandparents.

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About the Author:

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.