Police say a routine traffic stop led to the discovery of two children living in deplorable conditions inside a South Philadelphia apartment.
On Friday around 1:45 a.m., police conducted a vehicle search on a blue Ford Escape on the 2200 block of South 12th Street. Dawn Canterbury, 31, of Philadelphia, was a passenger in the car, according to investigators.
While searching her vehicle police say they found narcotics as well as an outstanding warrant for fraud in Lansdale, Montgomery County.
Police say Canterbury asked them to check on her two children at her apartment on the 100 block of Snyder Avenue.
When police arrived at the second floor apartment, police say they found a 3-year-old boy and 1-year-old boy living in filthy conditions. The 3-year-old was found inside the living room while the 1-year-old was found inside a crib, according to police.
Investigators say the apartment had rats on the floor and garbage everywhere.
Canterbury's current and former landlords tell NBC10 that the woman has not paid her rent in months and that they were in the process of taking her to court before Friday's incident.
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The landlords also say they've had to pay city fines because Canterbury has been known to throw her trash outside the window.
Canterbury is charged with Narcotics Violations, endangering the welfare of a child and reckless endangerment. Her children are currently in custody of the DHS.
Dawn Canterbury
