SEATTLE » King County prosecutors say two young children were left alone for five days with little food in a filthy apartment after their mother failed to mention them when she was arrested.

Auburn, Washington, police found the children after neighbors reported a 3-year-old girl crying hysterically while clawing at a second-story window.

An account in court papers says police were overwhelmed by the smell of human feces and rotting food when they entered the apartment earlier this month. They found a naked 1-year-old boy with a rash and the little girl in soiled clothes. Police say they found only a bag of grapes for food.

The children were turned over to Child Protective Services.

Prosecutors have charged 23-year-old Qiara Dennis with two counts of abandoning a dependent person, with arraignment scheduled July 2. She was originally arrested for investigation of driving with a suspended license.

Prosecutor’s spokesman Dan Donohoe said Tuesday he did not know whether Dennis has a lawyer yet.