Authorities in Yavapai County are investigating a disturbing case in which two infants were discovered alone in a cold, powerless home — still buckled into car seats. The children’s parents, identified as Thomas Jordan, 41, and Maira Moreno, 25, now face charges of child abuse and drug paraphernalia possession, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident took place in Congress, Arizona, a small rural community roughly 80 miles northwest of Phoenix. Deputies were alerted early Wednesday morning after a man reportedly called law enforcement around 6 a.m., saying he had to leave for work and would be leaving his one-year-old children at home.
When a deputy arrived to check on the residence, he found a generator humming outside, its extension cord running through the front door. Inside, the house was dark and cold, with no electricity. The deputy discovered two small children secured in their car seats, positioned near a space heater — the only apparent source of warmth.
Members of the Congress Fire Department arrived soon after and took the infants to a nearby fire station to warm up while deputies launched their investigation. The parents were located about an hour later and taken into custody. Officials did not provide details on where the mother had been that morning.
The children were later placed under the care of the Arizona Department of Child Safety, which will oversee their well-being as the investigation continues.
Sheriff David Rhodes later praised his deputy for acting quickly. “This situation could have ended much worse,” he said in a statement, adding that the case is a reminder of why deputies are trained to respond to every call with urgency and care.
The sheriff’s office has not released additional details about the family or the living conditions inside the home.
