Glenys Kupfer was handed a suspended jail sentence for seriously neglecting her four children

A mother has avoided jail for the “appalling” conditions in which she was raising her four children, including rotting food in the fridge and faeces on the floor. See the photos.

A once meth-addicted mother who was raising her young children in “very squalid” conditions has been given a suspended jail sentence for the serious neglect.

Glenys Kupfer, 34, was sentenced in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday for the neglect of her four young sons, which included raising them in a house of sqaulor with rotting food in the fridge and faeces on the floor.

Glenys Kupfer leaving the Adelaide Magistrates court in August. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

The court heard Kupfer was now clean from drugs and turning her life around.

Police attended Kupfer’s Blair Athol residence on March 1, 2019.

Kupfer’s four sons, who were aged eight, three, two and one at the time, were present when police entered the home.

“Two of the children were completely unclothed … faeces were evident on the floor of the kitchen, lounge and bathroom,” Magistrate Nick Alexandrides said during sentencing.

“There were clothes strewn on the floor throughout the premises, there were not sufficient beds for each child.

“The beds that were present were dirty and not covered with appropriate bedding material.”

The court heard the “appalling” conditions also included rotting food in the refrigerator and broken glass on the floor.

The lounge room of Glenys Kupfer’s Blair Athol home. Picture: Courts SA

The house received a score of 22 out of 30 on the squalor assessment scale, with 30 being the most squalid condition a house can be in.

The mother-of-six, of Hectorville, had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of failing to provide necessary food, clothing or accommodation to her children.

The court heard police re-attended Kupfer’s house in June and noted the house was clean.

“In the lead-up to the offence you were using methamphetamine and developed into a heavy user … it was said that you did not prioritise your children,” Mr Alexandrides said.

The court heard Kupfer, who had turned to drugs to cope with the grief of losing her brother, is now clean and undertaking rehabilitation programs.

Police found broken glass and faeces on the floor. Picture: Courts SA

Rotting food was found in the fridge. Picture: Courts SA

The dining room. Photo: Courts SA

The main bedroom. Photo: Courts SA

“The most important responsibility and duty of a parent is the care of one’s children … because of the gravity of the consequences both short term and long term,” Mr Alexandrides said.

“The neglect of children by those responsible for their care cannot be tolerated.”

Mr Alexandrides sentenced Kupfer to four months jail.

It was suspended on a 18-month good behaviour bond for $200, with supervision.