SALEM, Ore. – An accused cocaine-dealing mom in Keizer was arrested after two of her kids were found home alone with candles burning and cocaine in the room, according to police.

Salem Police

Salem police said Tuesday morning they were serving a search warrant at the home on River Rd. North in Keizer, after a tip cocaine was being sold there.

Inside police said they found two children, ages 8 and 12, home alone. In the kids’ bedroom officers reported finding a small amount of cocaine and several lit candles on a shelf close to the ceiling, which had been burning throughout the night.

Police also said they found scales and packaging material.

Detectives learned that 40-year-old Catalina Mendoza Cervantes had left for work around 5 a.m., but was later told police were at her home and fled.

Officers contacted her by phone but said she refused to come home. She was finally found and arrested at another address after officers said she tried to escape.

Cervantes was charged with possessing and delivering cocaine, child abandonment, endangering a minor and maintaining a place where drugs are used.