Christmas Arrives Early for 3 Destitute Children

Santa Claus, aided by an outpouring of community support, made Tuesday a Christmas to remember for three excited youngsters who police had found dirty and hungry when they responded to a domestic dispute.

The officers on Sunday found the destitute family of five living in a squalid house without electricity as the three children, ages 4, 3 and 23 months, shared a single taco, the only food in the house, said police spokesman Mike Halphen.

“I’m looking at a room full of more than a hundred toys and clothes and candy, and it all started when the 4-year-old asked (an officer) if Santa would find them this year because last year he didn’t,” Halphen said. “ . . . I wish everyone could have seen those little faces.”