SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A state worker was arrested Wednesday on charges of child abandonment after her three children were found left alone at home, the Twin Rivers District Police Department said.

Leticia Marin, 42, works as a senior typist for the state Department of Social Services, police said.

The children were found left alone at home during a truancy check on Wednesday when a counselor stopped by, a public information officer for the school district said. That counselor later called police.

"When she came to the home, she was concerned that the parent wasn't there and she alerted CPS," Trinette Marquis from the district said.

Neighbors told KCRA 3 that the children's mother left the oldest child, an 8-year-old, in charge of the other two children. The other children are 5 years old and 10 months old.

The children, who live in a house on Rivera Drive, were taken into the care of Child Protective Services.

Investigators said the 8-year-old had taken good care of the other children.

The neighbors also said that they see the older children playing outside and not attending school.

Investigators said the house was not neat and clean.

Marin was booked into the Sacramento County Jail.

The school district said that child care is available for those who are in need.