Mother of two children shot near 37th & Hadley faces child neglect charges

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A 25-year-old Milwaukee mother is facing child neglect charges after city workers discovered cockroaches and feces throughout her home. Police were led to the home after two of the woman's seven children suffered gunshot wounds when they were struck by gunfire during a gun battle on Wednesday, July 23rd in the area of 37th and Hadley.

Octavia Burton is facing seven counts of child neglect.

Octavia Burton

The shooting happened just before 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 23rd.

Police say Burton and a man were in a van with her seven children — between the ages of two and 11 when the shooting occurred.

Police say the man got into some sort of altercation with others in the neighborhood — and that’s when the gun battle ensued.

Some of the bullets hit the side of a home in the area, and others hit the 10-year-old boy and 11-year-old girl.

Police said the children’s mother, later identified as Burton, drove them to the hospital.

Police say their investigation into the shooting let them to a house not far away -- where the mother was living with her seven children.  Police say city workers discovered cockroaches and feces throughout the home.

According to the criminal complaint, upon entering the residence, officers noted a strong odor of dog urine and feces through the entire residence.

The criminal complaint indicates that officers observed insect infestation in every room. Additionally, officials noted that they located a mattress in a closet which was covered in well over 100 insects, including roaches.

Officials also discovered both old and fresh dog feces in a metal crate, a pantry and a stairwell.The complaint indicates the living room floor was covered with ten garbage bags, which were filled with dirty clothes and insects.

Within minutes of entering the residence, a DOC agent terminated the search due to the overpowering smell.

WARNING: The pictures below may be disturbing to some