Police Say Mom Had Kids In Filth

By Kyle Meenan First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FL -- It began Sunday night when an off-duty Jacksonville Sheriff's Officer called local police after spotting a woman driving erratically.

Jacksonville Beach police say they watched 44-year old Tammie Marie Nava strike a center median then swerve hard to the right before they pulled her over.

Police say Nava could not perform field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest.

Once at jail, investigators say her breathalyzer tests showed Nava had nearly twice the legal limit for alcohol in her bloodstream.

But when police approached her black Ford Mustang, they were stunned to discover two small children, ages three and one, sitting in the back seat amidst garbage and human waste.

"They found the children," said Jacksonville Beach Police Sgt. Thomas Bingham. "The diapers were overflowing with urine and feces."

"According to the officers who were investigating this, they said there were hundreds of roaches inside the vehicle," said Bingham. "All over the children. All over the contents of the car."

"It was a tremendous stench coming from the car. Just a real thick smell of the urine, feces and the garbage that had been accumulating in that car for a long period of time," said Bingham.

Once in custody, police say Nava repeatedly said, "I'm not drinking drunk, I'm not drinking drunk!"

"The children were taken out of the vehicle. Were cleaned up as best as possible by the officers on the scene and friends were called to transport the children to a relative," said Bingham.

On Monday, the children are with their grandparents though police have notified the DCF to begin its own investigation.

"Things like this don't just happen overnight. Somebody has seen a progression of this happening over a period of time," said Bingham, adding anyone who sees such a situation should call their local police immediately.

Shands Jacksonville confirms that the 44-year old Nava is an employee of the hospital, though hospital officials would not elaborate on Nava's position or duties.

Meanwhile Jacksonville Beach police are still questioning this mother's situation.

"Just the trash coupled with the children, with the urine and the feces it was just horrible," said Bingham.

Nava made her first appearance Monday afternoon and was ordered held on $50,000 bond charged with driving under the influence, resisting arrest, and two counts of child neglect.

Nava's next court appearance is slated for August 7.

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