The sheriff said the abandonment appears to have taken place in the spring/summer of 2020, right as the COVID-19 pandemic was in its early stages.

Donations of clothes and money are pouring in for three Detroit-area siblings after authorities found them living alone for years, amid trash and feces.

• The 15-year-old was the only one to step out of the home during the nearly-5-year confinement, venturing outdoors just two times. “He came out twice — once to feel the grass and the other time to check the mail… it’s soul-crushing on so many levels.” Bouchard said.