Mom with 5 kids speaks out after being placed in cockroach-infested unit at Hamilton shelter

Seantelle Wynne says she was excited when she and her five children landed a spot in an emergency shelter in Hamilton in early April.

But within a week, Wynne's happiness turned into horror when she saw cockroaches on her stove and clothes, and near her children.

"I'm a young mother by myself with five little babies struggling ... this place was riddled with cockroaches," the 34-year-old said.

"I feel like I've been neglected ... my kids are scared to eat."

The family is staying at Martha House, a Good Shepherd emergency shelter for women and their children who are experiencing homelessness, and fleeing violence and abuse.

Wynne said she tried to kill the bugs on her own by stomping on them, but the infestation persisted. That's when she approached staff about the problem.

Wynne said they gave her sticky pads typically used for mice and rats, but they didn't help.

In early June, with bugs still in the unit, Wynne took more pictures and approached the staff again.

That time, she said, they offered to bring in pest control and spray the unit.

'I feel deeply for this family'

Tessa McFadzean, director of Good Shepherd's Women's Services, said she couldn't comment on specific incidents, but called this one an "unfortunate situation."

"We know people are coming here dealing with so much stuff and the last thing we want them to deal with is feeling like services aren't hospitable, or dignified or that a situation isn't responded to," she said.

"I feel deeply for this family ... there's always a risk for potential pest control concerns in any of our residential settings. That said, it's a risk we take very seriously."

She said the images appear to show the aftermath of a spray, noting clusters of bugs. Wynne said the pictures were taken before pest control arrived.

McFadzean said the organization trains staff, does enhanced cleaning, has routine inspections and has a strong pest control program.

She couldn't say how many similar situations have occurred in the past month or when the last inspection took place, but emphasized there are weekly and monthly checkups.

McFadzean also encouraged people to bring up infestations if there are any, so Good Shepherd can help right away.

She said the women's services side of the shelter system is full, with no open beds and more than 100 per cent occupancy at all sites.

Wynne said she was given a new room this week after CBC News reached out to Good Shepherd.

"It's actually really nice. It is a lot nicer."