9 children found living in squalor in Englewood home hospitalized

Nine children were hospitalized Sunday afternoon after they were found living in squalor in an Englewood home with no heat or food.

The Chicago Police and Fire departments responded to a complaint about the living conditions in a two-flat home in the 900 block of West 59th Street sometime after 1 p.m., according to Fire Media Affairs spokesman Larry Langford.

Authorities determined the conditions were poor and nine children from two families, ranging in age from infant to 17, were taken to Comer Children’s Hospital to be checked out, Langford said. There were no outward signs of trauma.

A law enforcement source said there was no heat or food in the home.

The state Department of Children and Family Services is investigating allegations of neglect, agency spokeswoman Veronica Resa said. The investigation is pending.

The children have been placed with family members under a DCFS-monitored safety plan and the agency will continue to assess the situation.

No one was in custody as of Monday morning as Area South detectives investigated, police said.