Woman Who Left Children Alone Sentenced

A South-Central Los Angeles woman who left her children alone in a filthy apartment was sentenced Thursday to a year in County Jail.

Patricia Quiroz, 26, who had pleaded guilty to child abuse charges, also was placed by Superior Court Judge Jacqueline O’Connor on three years probation and ordered to pay a $200 fine and take parenting classes.

On April 27, neighbors became alarmed by loud cries and found Quiroz’s three children, ages 3, 2 and 1, alone in squalid conditions in their Western Avenue apartment near 81st Street.

Quiroz, who neighbors said would often leave the children at home unattended, was arrested a few days later.

Quiroz already has served 60 days in jail and was given an additional 30 days credit for good behavior.

“Physically she is doing fine, but she is distraught over not being able to see her children,” said Quiroz’s public defender, Brady Sullivan. He said it was still unclear if Quiroz would be able to receive visits from her children while she served her time at Sybil Brand Institute.