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Police: Several young children, including infant, left home alone in East Hills

PITTSBURGH — Police said three children, including an infant, were left home alone in East Hills Thursday morning.

Channel 11’s Dave Bondy reported that the mother was walking her other children to a bus stop, when police were called.

Police said Markale Williams, 26, is facing one count of endangering the welfare of children.

Pittsburgh police Lt. Dan Herrmann said Williams took her 7-year-old to the bus stop, leaving her 3-year-old, 1-year-old and infant alone.

Herrmann told Channel 11 News that the criminal complaint stated that a 2nd floor window was open and a table was pushed up to the window. The complaint also said that living conditions inside of the apartment were "deplorable."

A friend of Williams spoke to Channel 11 News shortly after Williams arrest.

“She is a good mother and loves her kids to death. She would never do anything to hurt them ever. I don’t believe she was even gone that long. She walked them to the bus stop and came back,” said friend Regina Smith. “It’s not easy. I have four children myself. I would never leave my kids. She’s a good mom. I know she was coming right back. She never leaves her kids alone.”

All of the children were taken to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and will likely be in the custody of relatives.