Chelsea Woman Neglected 'Severely Autistic' Child, Sibling, Police Say

A Rogers County woman is in jail after deputies said she neglected her children — one of whom is "severely autistic."

Laura Louise Legates, 36, of Chelsea, reportedly told investigators she had recently used meth, according to a police affidavit filed Oct. 4.

Deputies responded to her residence due to a complaint of the children — 16 and 17 — being left alone at home with no food or electricity, the affidavit shows.

The 17-year-old is described as "severely autistic" in the affidavit.

Deputies and Department of Human Services employees described the residence as being in poor condition with limited food, knives and scissors laying on the floor, along with trash and dirty dishes laying throughout the kitchen, the affidavit states.

Legates is charged with one count of child neglect, according to Rogers County District Court documents.

Legates is being held in the Rogers County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.