Marietta Patek didn't want to talk nor did her husband - Freddie. The couple took off in separate vehicles shortly after 39News arrived at their door to ask for an interview. Their home is where investigators say a Texas Child Care licensing inspector made a chilling discovering inside a shed Wednesday morning.
"She opened the door and immediately saw six infants in child carriers on the floor of the building, and immediately was struck with a strong odor of gasoline," said Chief John Tollette, with the Sealy Police Department.
Investigators said the couple stashed the children in the shed next to gasoline cans, insecticide, and a lawn mower in order to hide them. The Patek's daycare license only allows them to care for three children at a time, but investigators found 14 children in all - hidden in and around the home. Child protective services say the children's ages ranged from 3 months to 5 year-old.
"They had a very small air conditioning unit on the end of the building, but it wasn't large enough to cool that building," said Tollett.
The children were removed to the home and later checked out by EMS workers. Tollett said Patek also admitted it wasn't the children's first time in the shed.
"You could tell it was setup, they had the infant carriers line up around the walls and so there is no telling," Tollett explained.
Marietta Patek is charged with six counts of endangering a child. Her husband, Freddie, is facing one count for tampering with evidence.
"I am very surprised we haven't had a fatality over all these years with this going on," said Tollette.
He says temperatures in the shed reached well over 100 degrees.
Sharla Bell, a neighbor of the Patek's, said she's lived next-door to the couple for more than 11 years and was shocked at the allegations against them.
"It just really upset me because they are the kindest, sweetest people in the world. I just couldn't imagine that," said Bell.
Nor could the parents who though their children where in good hands.
"The parents where extremely upset and matter of fact we had to prevent one of them from going inside," said Tollett. "He wanted to have a talk with Mr. Patek."
But that talk will come later in front of a judge. The couple is out on $10,000 bond each.
"She opened the door and immediately saw six infants in child carriers on the floor of the building, and immediately was struck with a strong odor of gasoline," said Chief John Tollette, with the Sealy Police Department.
Investigators said the couple stashed the children in the shed next to gasoline cans, insecticide, and a lawn mower in order to hide them. The Patek's daycare license only allows them to care for three children at a time, but investigators found 14 children in all - hidden in and around the home. Child protective services say the children's ages ranged from 3 months to 5 year-old.
"They had a very small air conditioning unit on the end of the building, but it wasn't large enough to cool that building," said Tollett.
The children were removed to the home and later checked out by EMS workers. Tollett said Patek also admitted it wasn't the children's first time in the shed.
"You could tell it was setup, they had the infant carriers line up around the walls and so there is no telling," Tollett explained.
Marietta Patek is charged with six counts of endangering a child. Her husband, Freddie, is facing one count for tampering with evidence.
"I am very surprised we haven't had a fatality over all these years with this going on," said Tollette.
He says temperatures in the shed reached well over 100 degrees.
Sharla Bell, a neighbor of the Patek's, said she's lived next-door to the couple for more than 11 years and was shocked at the allegations against them.
"It just really upset me because they are the kindest, sweetest people in the world. I just couldn't imagine that," said Bell.
Nor could the parents who though their children where in good hands.
"The parents where extremely upset and matter of fact we had to prevent one of them from going inside," said Tollett. "He wanted to have a talk with Mr. Patek."
But that talk will come later in front of a judge. The couple is out on $10,000 bond each.
