The fate of three young children caught in the middle of a very public and
bitter dispute between their parents is very much uncertain tonight.
As we reported on Tuesday, the Family Court barred Zita Flores from entering
her home at number 164 Police Street. And her husband Francis Augustine Sr.
visited 7NEWS yesterday and confirmed that he too is not staying at the
house. With both parents not there, for nearly two weeks, three children the
youngest one only 3 years old and the other two 7 and 8 years old have been
home alone. And while their mother Zita Flores has been feeding and taking of
care them from outside the home, last night the police arrested her. That's
right, last night police locked down the mother and she spent the entire night
in the Queen Street police station holding cell. This morning she was charged
with aggravated assault and three counts of breach of a protection order. And
as for kids, well they were about to be shipped off to the children's home until
an aunt agreed to take them in for the night.
7NEWS on the scene for Zita's emotional return from a night in lockdown
and as she fought back the tears, Zita told Keith Swift that in all this
her children are suffering.
Zita Flores, Charged by Police
"Apparently he reported to the police that yesterday he went and found
me in the house. But I was right at my cousin sleeping where I am staying. The
police went to pick me up as I reached at work 4 p.m. They told me I have to
go to the station because I have a warrant or they will lock me up. I asked
them why. They said he (the children's father) went and told them that he found
me in the house. He said he peeped in the house and saw me sleeping. So they
locked me up. I stayed in the 'pisshouse' (the holding cell) and then this morning
they took me to the Magistrate's Court. They charged me with four offenses there
and after that I was taken to the Family Court."
Keith Swift,
So if you spent the night in the police holding cell where were your kids?
Zita Flores,
"Well they wanted to send them to the children's home. But I decided
to let my aunt take care of them because I know the situation at children's
home and I don't want my children to go there. I prefer they came here (to my
aunt)."
Keith Swift,
This situation seems to be getting crazier and crazier...
Zita Flores, Charged by Police
"Worse and worse. And the thing is that I want to be with my children.
That is what I want. I want to be with my children because they are punishing."
[Crying}
Things are more stable this evening as we confirmed that Zita Flores is
staying with her three young children an aunt's house. That aunt told us and
Zita concedes this is only a temporary arrangement. The house at 164 Police
Street though tonight is unoccupied.
7NEWS has confirmed that police are looking for Francis Augustine Sr. We
note that yesterday the father who police won't call a fugitive visited our
studios and boldly admitted that his kids are home alone. He says he refuses
to stay in the house because he is afraid of his 18-year-old son. That 18-year-old
son we note does not live in the house and his father has taken out a restraining
order against him.
Related Story
. 5 Kids Home Alone
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