Carson City mom arrested in filthy, freezing apartment

A Carson City mother was jailed Tuesday after police found her intoxicated inside her filthy apartment with no heat or water and two small children.

Crystalina E. Garcia, 24, was booked into the Carson City Jail at 10:15 p.m. on suspicion of gross misdemeanor child neglect.

According to the arrest report, officers received word that Garcia was living at an apartment on Silver Oak Drive without heat and water.

When police arrived at the address, they allegedly found Garcia's living room window "fully open" in 30-degree weather.

When Garcia opened the door and allowed officers inside, "the reek of cat urine and vomit was nearly overwhelming," Deputy Glenn Fair wrote in his police report.

Fair said Garcia was apparently intoxicated, and though there was no food in the refrigerator, there was beer there. He said empty bottles of beer and liquor were "all over the kitchen," and what appeared to be vomit in the sink.

Fair said in the living room he found a 9-month-old boy and 5-year-old girl. He stated that "items" covered the floors and there were no blankets on a child's bed.

"I could not find any diapers or associated infant-care supplies anywhere in the apartment. There was two cans of powdered infant formula, but no bottles which were usable," Fair stated.

Child Protective Services was called and a social worker agreed the condition of the apartment was unsuitable for the children.

Garcia allegedly told police she was baby-sitting the 9-month-old and that the girl was her daughter and lived in the apartment with her.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.