An 8-year-old autistic girl diagnosed as nonverbal was found wandering naked and barefoot outside a Florida home, leading investigators to discover that she and her two siblings were living in squalor described by authorities as "biohazard conditions," according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
Background
The child, identified in court records only as "E.N.," was discovered outside a residence on Wood Amber Lane in Palm Coast after a neighbor found her and returned her to the home. Deputies responded to conduct a welfare check Thursday following the incident. Her mother, Carla E. Nishikura, 41, told investigators her daughter had "a history of eloping" and had left through the garage while she was asleep. According to a probable cause affidavit, Nishikura said she normally secured interior door handles with zip ties but "forgot to do so the night prior," allowing the child to exit on foot.
After obtaining consent to enter the residence, deputies reported being immediately overwhelmed by an odor consistent with fecal matter that permeated the home. The conditions inside shocked investigators who documented finding human waste coating floors, walls, and ceilings throughout the kitchen and living room. Inside, two additional children were present alongside the 8-year-old, who remained without clothing or shoes.
The Investigation
The child's bedroom told a particularly disturbing story to investigators. According to the affidavit, her room contained only a bare bed frame without a mattress while the floor was covered with fecal matter, cracked eggs, and urine. Nishikura explained that her daughter had been sleeping on the living room couch because the bedroom was too contaminated to use.
During their investigation, deputies observed the child "using a tool to scrape fecal matter from the wall and manipulate it with her hands." Exposed wiring from cracked electrical outlet covers throughout the residence also posed immediate danger to the children.
A case manager who had been assisting the family told investigators she had previously arranged for a professional cleaning company to address conditions in the home, but the crew refused entry after witnessing the biohazard. The case manager stated she personally visited the residence the previous day and immediately filed a report with the Florida Department of Children and Families because of what she observed.
One of the other children present told deputies they had been instructed not to enter the girl's bedroom due to the contamination. According to the affidavit, the child estimated the fecal matter had accumulated for approximately one month and described it as "hard as a rock."
Nishikura admitted to investigators she was aware of the home's condition but said she was "unable to manage her home and children on her own," according to the sheriff's office.
The Charges
Authorities arrested Nishikura Thursday on three felony counts of child neglect. Investigators allege she willfully neglected to provide "a clean and safe living environment" for her children, failed to provide necessary accommodations, and exposed them to biohazard materials. She was transported to the Flagler County Jail without incident. Bond was set at $7,500, according to court records.
The Department of Children and Families accepted the abuse report and dispatched an investigator to the scene for immediate response. All three children were reportedly placed in protective custody following the discovery.
Key Takeaways
- The 8-year-old girl has been diagnosed with autism and is nonverbal, making her especially vulnerable
- Investigators documented fecal matter coating floors, walls, and ceilings throughout the Palm Coast home
- A professional cleaning company previously refused to enter the residence due to biohazard conditions
- Nishikura told investigators she knew about the contamination but said she was unable to manage the situation
- All three children were placed in protective custody following the discovery
What's Next
Nishikura is scheduled to appear in court for her arraignment on Aug. 18. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to assess the long-term welfare of all three children involved.