Mother Faces Child Neglect Charges Amid Ongoing Custody Dispute
A 34-year-old Florida woman, Miriam Shvetz, was arrested Thursday, August 21, 2025, after her two young children, ages 5 and 9, were found living alone in deplorable conditions in her Miami Beach condominium, according to Miami-Dade police.
The discovery, prompted by a 911 call from the children’s father, has led to two counts of child neglect without great harm against Shvetz, shining a spotlight on a contentious custody battle and allegations of neglect.
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Police were called to Shvetz’s Collins Avenue condo around noon after her ex-husband, who had dropped off the children, learned from them that their mother was not home. According to the arrest report obtained by WPLG, the father told police Shvetz had not informed him she would be absent.
Officers arriving at the scene heard one of the children crying on a video call with their mother, who allegedly admitted she couldn’t return immediately because she “had things to do.”
The condo was described as reeking of rotting food and urine, with filthy walls and floors, scattered old food, dirty dishes, flies, insects, and a clogged toilet filled with feces, which was also strewn across the bathroom floor.
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The children’s father, embroiled in a custody dispute with Shvetz since their 2022 divorce filing, told investigators that Shvetz had not enrolled the 5- and 9-year-olds in school and had “no plans” to do so, though their 7-year-old sibling is enrolled.
The father is reportedly working to enroll the two children in school. Police noted prior calls to Shvetz’s home related to the ongoing custody conflict, which began in 2023.
Shvetz was released from Miami-Dade County Jail after posting bond, with her arraignment scheduled for September 19.
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