Three Children Were Found Abandoned in a House Full of Filth

Three children ages 7, 3, and 11 months were found abandoned in house in Lake Stevens, Washington.  It was a debt collector who notified police after several visits to the home where he only spoke to the 7-year old.  The children were padlocked inside the house.

When I see these pictures I can only think of Hoarders. I cannot imagine how these children felt and how scared and lonely they must have been. How is a 7-year old supposed to take care of a toddler and a baby. I wish I understood why people do the things they do to their kids. It seems more and more that children are now a target. So many horrible stories of neglect and even murder of innocent children these days.