Thank you, Bebop and Katheryn..
After much thought, I did call the town police, first talking to a lady there who answered the phone, and after she heard the story, she put me on the phone to an officer, who seemed genuinely concerned. I asked him about shelter for a woman with three small children in such dire circumstances, and he was unsure if any such place is available in our county. He agreed that he should be called if the girl arrives at my doorstep with no place to stay, and that the police should find her some shelter.
I noticed that the ex husband's house had a yard full of play equipment, and the girl's car was there, which she said wouldn't run. The house wasn't bad either, probably a HUD rental, but nice enough. One would think that the father would want his children to remain safe in the home at least for now.
The girl said she and the children were going to stay at her girlfriend's this evening. It's really very sad and disturbing, but I can do no more.
Patty