MAULDIN, SOUTH CAROLINA — A horrific case of child neglect has shaken the Mauldin community after officers discovered two young children in life-threatening condition inside a home filled with filth, decay, and despair. One child had stopped breathing, her tiny body cold and her injuries untreated, while her brother lay beside her, barely clinging to life.

Authorities responded to a distress call that led them to a residence where the true scope of suffering quickly became apparent. Inside the home, officers found the children lying in unsanitary conditions, surrounded by garbage and the overpowering stench of human waste. The air was thick with neglect, a haunting reminder of the cruelty hidden behind closed doors.

According to police reports, the 3-year-old girl was unresponsive when officers arrived. Her breathing had stopped, and her body showed signs of prolonged mistreatment. Paramedics fought desperately to revive her while attending to her equally frail brother, who was severely malnourished and covered in untreated wounds. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where doctors began the urgent work of saving their lives.

Investigators described the home as “uninhabitable,” with filth coating the floors and walls. Broken furniture, rotting food, and soiled clothing covered every corner. It was a scene of neglect so severe that seasoned officers were left shaken. Officials said the children appeared to have gone days without proper food or care, and their physical condition reflected months of suffering.

The children’s parents, identified as Ryan Vassallo and Demarion Sloan, were immediately taken into custody. Each faces two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, a charge that could carry significant prison time if convicted. Police said the arrests came after evidence indicated long-term neglect and disregard for the children’s health and safety.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) has removed all three children from the parents’ custody. The two surviving siblings remain hospitalized under close medical supervision, while the third child—believed to be living elsewhere—has been placed in protective care. DSS is working closely with law enforcement to ensure the children’s ongoing safety and well-being.

Neighbors expressed heartbreak and disbelief, saying they rarely saw the children outside. “We had no idea it was this bad,” one resident shared. “It’s terrifying to think those kids were suffering so close to us.” The community has since come together, offering prayers and assistance to help the children recover and rebuild their lives.

As the investigation continues, detectives are piecing together a timeline of abuse and neglect. They are also seeking to determine how long the children had been left without adequate food, medical attention, or hygiene. Authorities have not disclosed whether previous welfare checks had been conducted at the residence.

Child welfare advocates in South Carolina say this case highlights a broader issue—underreported child abuse and the desperate need for early intervention. They emphasize the importance of community vigilance, urging neighbors and relatives to report any signs of mistreatment before tragedy strikes.

The Mauldin community now mourns the innocence lost in this tragedy. While the children fight for their lives, their story has become a painful reminder of the vulnerability of those who cannot protect themselves. As the legal process unfolds, the community hopes for accountability, healing, and a future where no child endures such unimaginable suffering again.