We got some kiddos locked in a basement. The door appeared to be locked, so she busted it down and there were five or six kids in there. >> So, HSD workers are telling me that these kids are in imminent danger. >> From the information we know yet, >> a call about five children locked in a basement quickly unraveled into a series of disturbing discoveries and a meltdown from a mother who realized a friend had helped bring officers to her doorstep. We >> we were called here someone was concerned about the welfare of the children. Are you their mother? >> Yes. >> Are all these children yours? >> Yeah, they're all mine. You don't have a life. And that's the truth. People don't like to hear the truth. You You don't have a life for doing that type of stuff. >> Playing with somebody kids like that, that's >> that's not that's not cool. >> On July 31st, 20123, deputies from the Rine Police Department were dispatched to a home on Metron Court to assist the human services department with checking the welfare of five children allegedly living in unbearable conditions in a basement. The landlord had visited the day before and discovered that the children, ages 1 to 8 years old, had been left entirely on their own. Upon arrival, officers met with the HSD team to learn more about the severity of the report that had brought them there. >> Hi guys. >> Hello. >> Happy Monday. >> You guys brought the whole crew out for this one. >> Yeah, we got a lot of kiddos. >> Before we get in the home and it gets a little chaotic, can I just have your first and last name? >> Sure. Justin Schmidt. S C H M I DT 7500. >> Is that your badge? You're good. I don't need it. >> Uh Derek Stein, D E R R I C K. >> Well, I don't know what you guys are made aware of, but we got some kiddos locked in a basement. Um >> don't know who their moms are. Like there a landlord came yesterday >> to get pictures because she was going to be changing the carbon monoxide detectors. Um there's appeared to be some 19 to 20 yearear-old females living in there who are not on the lease. Um, she was about to enter the basement, the landlord. And the 19 or 20-year-old said, "Oh, there's a family living down there." The landlord said, "What? Like, what do you mean?" Um, and one of the female said, "Well, my aunt just died." So, the landlord left it alone and she left. Today, she came back with her son with the carbon monoxide detectors to change, and she needed to get into the room in a basement. The door appeared to be locked, so she busted it down, and there were five or six kids in there. Um, an infant for sure. None of the kids talked. Um, none of the females said anything. Um, and she left and called us. >> The fe Oh, the landlord. >> The landlord. >> Oh, >> yeah. So, she My understanding called us. >> My understanding is the 19 and 20-year-old are still in the home, but >> but we don't we don't think that they're they're kids. I don't know. We don't know whose kids these are, if they're how long they've been locked in there or anything. So, >> I think the thing we need to establish though is like if they don't answer the door for us, are we breaching the door? Is this where kids are in >> because from what this landlord said like this was that was a locked door. So if there's little kids in a locked >> and there's nothing in there. >> Um how I don't we can't we can't say that she's getting the appropriate formula the appropriate diaper changes. >> Okay. So HSD workers are telling me that these kids are an imminent >> from the information we know. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. Call supervisor. >> You can handle that one. I don't want you on that one. The landlord described the children living in unsafe conditions and some appeared malnourished. According to the HSD team, there was no doubt they needed to act immediately, even if that meant breaching the door. When they knocked, it took an unusually long time before anyone responded from inside. [laughter] Police. Police. We're here to check the welfare of the children. >> Hi. Sorry to bother you. >> Hello. >> Police department. >> Yeah. >> Do you Do you live here? >> Yes. >> You do live here? >> Yes. >> You have an ID? >> No, I don't. >> The woman who eventually answered was identified as 21-year-old Nigeria. A relative, but not a guardian of the children HSD had been called to check on. Her uncooperative behavior made it clear that something inside that house was being hidden. Something no adult inside wanted authorities to see. >> I'm confused what the fuss is about. >> So, we're checking on the welfare of a few children. >> A few children? >> Yeah. There's supposedly children in the basement. We're going to check the welfare of those children. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Well, let me get their mother because you want to communicate with >> We need to know who you are first. >> Yeah. What's your name, ma'am? >> My name's Nigeria. Why >> we explained why we're children, right? No, I don't like kids. >> Okay, then you don't have nothing to worry about. Let's get your information. >> I'm going to lead you to who we can talk to. >> Okay, sure. >> Okay, we can come in. >> Excuse me. We're in the middle of moving out. >> Oh, that's all right. >> Um, so here's >> Hi. So, you want to communicate with them? Hi. Sorry to bother you. >> We We were called here. Someone was concerned about the welfare of the children. >> Someone was >> concerned about the welfare of the children. >> Okay. >> Are you their mother? >> Yes. >> Are all these children yours? >> Yeah, they're all mine. >> Okay. Do you have an ID on you, ma'am? >> Uh, no I do not. >> Do you own an ID? It's just not here or >> Yes, just not here nor >> Oh, where would it be? >> Yes, actually in the vehicle. It's not here. >> So, you live here in the basement? Yes. So, right now, yes, right now to understand more a few days. >> Oh. Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to shine the light on a little one there. >> Um, >> so someone was was concerned about this? >> Yeah. >> They were saying that the >> Do you know who that would be, though? Like, who would be >> I don't know. >> Do you have anything with your name on it? >> I just I just need to identify you. >> When somebody contacts the police department about something, we're actually not allowed to say who it was. >> The mother was identified as 34year-old Dasha Turner. And true to the report, she was staying in the basement with her five children. While Dasha was determined to find out who had called on her, officers continued their investigation as HSD began checking the welfare of [music] the children. >> So you don't know this person who called you guys. >> No, I know who it is. I'm just not allowed to tell you. >> Okay. So I don't know why people concerned for the kids. >> They they were concerned because apparently the basement was locked and there were children down here being unsupervised. So, they were worried about the conditions for the children and if they were locked in the basement. >> So, that's why HSD >> with them. >> HSD is here to check the welfare of the children. That's the only reason we're involved is because they need to gain access to make sure that everybody's okay. >> Oh, yeah. And they're fine cuz I'm I'm pretty much almost always here. >> Then it shouldn't be a big deal. We'll be out of here in a couple minutes. >> I just want you guys to know that I'm always here with them. So, >> okay. >> Well, >> they're they're not left. >> I'm not actually in charge of anything here. I'm just here to make sure that they're able to do their job. >> Well, I thought I was in some type of I'm like I'm always here with them. I'm always >> as of right now. I don't think that you're in any trouble. I don't know that you're in any trouble. Um I'm just here to make sure that they're able to do their job. >> That's all I'm doing. >> Okay. >> And I'm just information gathering cuz anytime I talk to somebody, I got to say who I talk to. >> Okay. >> You know what I'm saying? >> But the fact that Dasha wasn't initially in any legal trouble was about to change once Natalie from HSD [music] dug deeper into the children's conditions. >> That's right. Are you and I'm going to totally bash this. Is it Desanna? >> Deja. >> Deja. I was really wrong. Hi, Deja. My name is Dakota and I work with Racing County CPS. >> How are you? >> Almost 5 years old. >> You're good. Thanks. Thank you. So, I just want to talk to you. Are these all of your babies? >> Yes, they're mine. >> They are. And how old are all your kids? >> They're uh the oldest one, she is going to be 15. Then we have the other ones. My youngest one is going to be one. The other one's going to be two. I have a seven and an eight. >> And then seven. >> Seven. >> Eight. And how old is this one? >> She's one. >> She's She's one. >> Yeah. >> What about the other one? >> Two. >> Two. >> As HSD gathered information on each child, officers went upstairs to map out the household and understand [music] the connection between Dasha and the other adults living there. >> Their uncle. >> Their uncle [clears throat] and that they're here to visit for the funeral arrangement and [music] it's like where they're staying for now. But that was both of their stories was saying that they're here for a funeral and they're staying here. >> So they're not related to her. >> I'm not related to her. I'm related to uncle. So they're just here with him. >> They got kisses. >> Okay. And they just came here because there was a funeral for your uncle. >> Yeah. We didn't even have the funeral yet. That's what we're trying to explain this to. >> So the father of these children, who is that to you? >> My uncle. >> That's your uncle? >> Yes. >> So he's deceased? >> No. >> No. Your uncle's alive? >> Yes. >> And who's your uncle? >> Brother. Who's your uncle? >> Who's the one that just died? >> No. Who's the father of these children? What's that person's name? >> Are not all his kids. That's like two of them. >> Okay. Who's the one you're related to? >> Quan. >> Quan. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Sorry. I'm just trying to figure out all the interconnecting webs of how everybody's connected. >> So, one more time. That's your >> uncle's girlfriend. >> Girlfriend. >> Her kids. >> Her kids. Okay. >> All right. After getting a clearer picture of the family situation, officers returned to the basement and summarized what they'd found. And this was the moment where everything shifted. The earlier belief that Dashia might walk away without consequences was rapidly falling apart. >> She told me every kid down here is >> Okay, cool. That >> there's also a kid upstairs, but that kid belongs to one of the ladies that's up there. >> That's an upstairs. >> That's an upstairs. >> And then the other lady up there has no kids here. the landlord. >> You want me to go? >> Yeah. >> Quarterback that one, >> please. >> Can they go upstairs? >> What's that? >> Can they go upstairs? >> Sure. Yeah. >> Nobody going upstairs. >> Can you guys go upstairs? >> I thought we didn't live here, >> right? >> So, how you going to send somebody upstairs? But we don't live here. We don't pay rent here, right? That girl need to mind her business cuz I guess here. Y'all want to search the whole crib and do all that for what? >> I didn't say that. >> So, what do you need to go upstairs for? >> She said send them upstairs. That's what I'm saying. Say who? >> Because you're being loud and we're trying to conduct investigation in the >> basement of what? >> Possible child. >> If you'd like to keep impeding the the investigation, you can go to jail. How about that? >> Okay, bye. >> All I'm asking you is to be quiet and go away. >> I'm arguing. I'm sitting here on the phone. This ain't got nothing to do with you. >> I never knew it was so difficult. Um niece lives here. So that's how they Yep. >> Where are you guys looking for? >> Uh just around there. >> They are. >> Yeah. Okay. Well, that makes it so we can do that. >> Yep. >> I know. >> Are you guys able to afford that kind of >> We can hold off on it. >> Yeah. >> Even though Dashia didn't realize it yet, HSD had already made their decision. all five children would be removed, and that meant she would be facing serious charges tied to her unfitness as a caregiver. As the investigation continued, Natalie also checked on the other children in the home to ensure no one else was living the way the basement children had been before returning her focus to Dasha. >> All righty, we'll be back. >> She says she don't know none of us, but like, you don't know me, so why are you taking money? >> Why are you Why are you taking rent money from me if you don't know me? >> It's okay, cuz I still have evidence of paying her and I It don't matter. I got evidence her knowing that we live here, all that. I got evidence everything. I got her just in the house 5 minutes around that she the one did that out there. >> We already knew she >> I can only expect that. Like I had to put two and two together. >> She's mad. >> What is wrong with you? Like you just said you don't even know us. >> So you telling people you telling people falsified stuff >> that's not even true. And you don't even like people say you don't know us. How you know >> you don't even know me. >> He's on the other side. >> And you don't even know my children. >> You don't got a life. >> First of all, she was just talking about she didn't care about uncle dying. She ain't care about everybody else's chill. She care about others. But you care about all of us. What we doing here? >> Exactly. >> But you want us out so bad by tomorrow. Like girl, get out for real. >> Like you said, you don't know me, but you call on me for my children. No. At the end of the day, you don't even know me or my children. I don't even know you >> at all. Not from A to Z. Not from A to B. >> I don't know you. >> Right. Like she's so weird. >> So you don't have a life. You don't have a life. And that's the truth. People don't like to hear the truth. You You don't have a life for doing that type of stuff. >> Playing with somebody kids like that. That's >> That's not That's not cool. >> It's not even funny. No joke. >> Dja, that's how you say it. >> Yeah. >> All right, Miss Thing. >> I need a few things from you. >> Okay. >> What is your phone number? >> Okay. So, I know you've been reluctant about the dad's name, but now I now I need it. >> Now I need his information. It's important that I know who he is, where he is, and what what kind of where he is, if he's coming back, what the situation looks like with him. >> Yeah. I don't know where he is right now >> and that's totally fine. I just need his >> Look, I ain't going to tell you his names. I ain't the one I tell you. I ain't got kids with him. I ain't doing him. But he told me he was in Milwaukee. >> So he's local. >> So he's hereish >> in Wisconsin but not here. >> Wisconsin. [laughter] >> Okay. So I can I have his first name? >> You guys can rock paper scissors on who tells me. >> Oh, look. So, I feel like I have cuz I don't feel like I have to like I'm obligated to give you guys his name. I mean, >> um I really can I tell her something cuz I've been in this position. I think your best bet is to tell them the name or it's just going to go left. Everything's just going to flip right the over. >> WELL, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT all that, but >> No. Yeah. I don't want nothing to go left, >> but it's uh like you said, like you said, it's probably best bet. Uh it's the climb. Will you spell it for me? L A last name is Russell. >> I don't do is I don't like to give people names out when they're not here. You know what I mean? >> And I totally get that. >> I'm not trying to argue with you guys. >> So there's here's a situation is you have a warrant right now. >> Okay. So we're going to take you in and they're going to take the kids for until you get this sorted out. >> So they need the parent the father's contact information so they can handle things. Do you know what that's >> non-support? >> Non-sup support. And it's body only. >> Yeah. And it's body only. So >> it's who? Body. >> Body only. So that means we have to take [laughter] >> You can't bond out. >> Yeah. >> You have to see a judge. >> Okay. >> So because you're going to jail, there's nobody to care for your kids. So they have to be taken into custody by me. >> And depending on where they go from here, whether they go with their fathers or a friend or a family member that you have is where they is where they can go. >> Question. So she has to understand cuz I feel like she should at least know. Is she going to be able to know where her kids are when she gets out? >> When she gets out, most definitely. >> Okay. So I Okay. >> So this isfortable so they have so your kids can go to the right places until you get your >> figured out. I don't I don't want them to go into foster care. I want them to go with a relative that you have or a friend that you have or or anything anybody that is willing to watch your kids for the time being. But because you're going to jail, I have to take them into custody. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> With everything now on the table, officers proceeded with the arrest. Dasha was taken from the home while HSD took custody of the five children. >> Okay. Can you stand up for me? Turn around. Do you um do you have anything you need from here? Like a phone or anything like that? >> Uh yeah, my phone. >> Your phone? Where is that at? >> It's down on the bed. Down >> down on the bed. So, is it going to go with me then or >> do you want it to go with you or do you want it to stay here? >> So, is it like going to be put somewhere else then when I go in? >> It'll be put with your things. So, they'll keep it with you at the jail. >> Um, you can just um leave it here or >> call out a number to call. >> You don't remember nobody's number? I can't >> once you get it seated or once you get seated I'll write down some numbers that you need. Um if you guys have >> your number? >> Yeah, I have your number written down. >> My number >> I can give you a piece of paper with >> I can just call you if I don't have another number. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Cuz your first call should be free. So use it wisely. >> I just never been in this situation. I know. >> Whoa. >> We didn't search her. >> Yeah. >> Warning. >> My name's Officer Davis. I'll be your taxi cab driver today. Anything on your phone? Shouldn't have none of that. All right. Give you a ride. reach. >> That is the first time I've ever seen that happen where somebody didn't reach the seat. Everybody else? >> Yeah. I I never even been in this situation. I don't have anything like I could ever. >> In the end, Turner was arrested on an outstanding warrant and charged with five counts of resulting in great bodily harm.