JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A foster mother was recently arrested after it was discovered she allowed her four foster kids to live in filth, police said.

Margaret Patti faces charges of child neglect after investigators found deplorable living conditions inside her Arlington home and an unbearable scent.

Patti is a 53-year-old mother who cares for four special needs foster children, ages 3, 5, 7 and 8.

According to the police report, one of the children had numerous bruises on her body and severe diaper rash.

The Department of Children and Families investigators said the child's bruises were consistent with abuse.

Investigators said the home had an unbearable odor of feces. One of the children had a diaper full of feces and police said another had dried vomit on the front of his shirt.

Investigators said they found one of the children with a plastic bag tied around his waist, apparently being used as a belt.

"You would like to think that when the children are placed in these homes they are getting the utmost care because they're being adequately provided for," said Jacksonville Sheriff's Office spokesman Ken Jefferson.

Investigators said that $7,500 a month was how much Patti received to care for her foster children, which have been placed in temporary custody since her arrest.

Patti's attorney told Channel 4 she has helped the special needs children make tremendous strides in their development, and that the woman adamantly denies the accusations against her.

Family Support Services, the lead agency for foster care in Duval County, said it would be aggressively investigating the case to make sure a similar incident doesn't happen in the future.

Patti remained in jail on Wednesday evening, being held on $50,000 bond.