Charlotte Parents Charged With Abuse Of Four Children

Charlotte police say they found a home in disarray, with broken glass, live and spent ammunition, knives and blowtorch lighters accessible to four children, after responding to reports of screaming and possible abuse. Gabriel Antonio Santos-Funes and Maria Valladares were arrested and charged with misdemeanor child abuse and offenses related to resisting and assaulting officers; police allege Santos-Funes tried to rub garlic and a Bible on officers and sprayed a child with cologne, while Valladares spat at and attempted to bite officers. The children were ages 14, 11, 5 and 3, and one reportedly said she did not feel comfortable staying in the home. Updated jail records also showed immigration holds for both parents. Neighbors described the normally quiet area as unsettled by the incident, while one said there had been unusual activity around the home since the family moved in.