Joliet Mother Arrested After 4-Year-Old Left Home Alone Nearly Runs Into Traffic
A 38-year-old Joliet mother was arrested after her 4-year-old daughter was found wandering near a busy intersection. Police say the child had been left home alone while the mother was at work. The mother was charged with endangering the life or health of a child and released on a notice to appear.
38-Year-Old Joliet Mother Arrested After 4-Year-Old Left Alone Wandering Near Busy Road
Protective Custody Taken After Child Found at Residence
Joliet police arrested a mother on Tuesday after she left her 4-year-old daughter home alone and the child wandered near a dangerous intersection.
Officers responded to a call at 1:46 p.m. on Tuesday at the area of Hickory Street and Bridge Street for a report of a young child running unattended near the roadway.
Police spokesman Dwayne English told reporters that upon arriving at the scene the officers learned the child had entered a residence in the 500 block of Summit Street.
Officers responded to that residence and found the 4-year-old girl inside the home. No other occupants were found inside the residence at that time.
The child was taken into protective custody and transported to the Joliet Police Department while officers continued efforts to locate the mother.
Child Safely In Custody
Lopez later returned to the residence and was transported to the police department for questioning.
English said detectives learned Lopez had been at work at the time of the incident.
The mother was subsequently taken into custody on charges of endangering the life or health of a child.
She was processed and released on a notice to appear in court.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services responded to the police department and assumed custody of the child pending further investigation.
Joliet Police Make Multiple Home Alone Arrests
This arrest marks another home alone case for the Joliet Police Department this week.
The city continues to address child safety concerns in residential areas throughout Joliet.
The mother remains charged and will appear in court as scheduled.
The child has been placed in protective custody while the investigation continues.
"Officers continued efforts to locate Lopez" according to police spokesman Dwayne English
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is conducting a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.