Twin boys were left home alone for months in New Hampshire while their parents travelled to Nigeria with three of their siblings.
The neglect was discovered after the nine-year-olds finally told their teacher about their situation.
The children's family members left Manchester for Nigeria in July. Their mother and siblings were supposed to return in August, but were reportedly delayed because of passport issues and illness.
The boys' father, Jerusalem Monday, told police that his younger brother, Giobari Atura, was supposed to be staying with the children while they were gone. If Atura had to leave the home, he was allegedly instructed to have a family friend stay with the boys.
Instead, Atura told police that he checked on his nephews on the days he went to work, or about three times a week. He also said that the children were instructed to call him if there were any problems.
"It should be noted that no operable phone was located within the apartment," a police affidavit said.
The children got themselves up and ready to catch the bus each day, and ate breakfast and lunch at school. In November, they revealed their situation to their teacher, and child protection services were notified.
Officials found no food in the house except for ramen noodles, and placed the boys in foster care. According to the affidavit, one of the boys told police "he felt lonely while staying at their own house because his mom and dad were not there and nobody was with them."
Atura, 25, was arrested for child endangerment, and released on $500 bail. It is unclear if the Monday family has returned from Nigeria.
