CHARLOTTE — Two parents were arrested in east Charlotte after police responded to reports of loud screaming and discovered hazardous conditions inside a home where four children lived.
Gabriel Antonio Santos-Funes and Maria Valladares face charges including misdemeanor child abuse following the incident at a home on Mahogany Drive.
Officers responded to the scene after neighbors reported loud screaming and expressed concern that the adults were experiencing a psychological episode.
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Inside the residence, police found destroyed furniture, broken glass, large knives, and blow torch lighters left accessible throughout the living area.
Four children, ages 14, 11, 5, and 3, were in the home at the time. One of the children told officers she did not feel comfortable remaining at the house.
Neighbors on Mahogany Drive expressed surprise regarding the police presence.
Amber Robins, a neighbor in the area, said the neighborhood is usually quiet. “I was very surprised; this is a very quiet neighborhood. Nothing normally ever happens,” Robins said.
Court documents show a caller reported the occupants were burning items and performing black magic rituals.
Neighbor Anna Jennings noted recent activity at the home since the family moved in a few months ago.
“Last night a lady was yelling something,” Jennings said. She added that “since they moved in, there has been a lot of furniture strewn around on the grass and stuff and a lot of people hanging out, outside.”
During the incident, both parents allegedly clashed with responding officers. Police reported Valladares attempted to bite officers, while Santos-Funes managed to take a baton from an officer and attempted to strike him with it.
Police also reported that Santos-Funes acted erratically by attempting to rub garlic on officers and a Bible.
Reflecting on the unusual behavior, Robins said, “I just don’t know what to make of that; it’s really strange.”
Following the arrests, two of the older children remained at the residence accompanied by adult family members or guardians, who declined to comment.
Both Santos-Funes and Valladares were taken into custody at the local jail.