"Don't make her out to be a monster:" Mother defends daughter, arrested for child neglect following shooting

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- She faces seven charges of child neglect, after city workers condemned her home. She had just regained custody of her children -- after losing them due to child abuse. Two of her children suffered gunshot wounds -- hit by bullets during a gun battle. Now, FOX6 News is speaking with the mother of 25-year-old Octavia Burton. She is now caring for many of Burton's children -- and she is defending her daughter.

City workers were led to the children's home after a shooting in which two of Burton's children suffered gunshot wounds.

They were struck by gunfire during a gun battle one week ago -- on Wednesday, July 23rd in the area of 37th and Hadley.

Police say Burton, her 30-year-old boyfriend and the seven children were inside a van when an altercation occurred between the man in the van and neighbors outside.

Two of the children were driven to the hospital by Burton after they were shot.

Burton is now in jail on seven counts of child neglect.

"Octavia loves her kids. The kids love their mother. Wherever she went to, she took her kids with her," Burton's mother, Geraldine Lucas told FOX6 News.

Burton's boyfriend has been taken into custody by Milwaukee police in connection with the shooting.

"Where's the people who shot these kids? I don't hear anything about them. I'm constantly hearing about Octavia. That's not right," Lucas said.

Burton is in jail after city workers went to the children's home to check it after the shooting.

Police say city workers discovered cockroaches and feces throughout the home.

According to the criminal complaint filed against Burton, 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.

The house was condemned, and the children were placed with Child Protective Services.

The Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Care and Control (MADACC) also responded to the scene and picked up five "malnourished, and insect-infested dogs."

WARNING: You may find the pictures below to be disturbing.