Indiana – An Indiana woman was arrested last week and charged after allegedly leaving her babies alone at home while she went out to consume alcohol after consuming several beers at home. The 32-year-old woman, later identified as Sanndra, faces several serious charges, including neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, neglect of a dependent abandonment, two counts of neglect of a dependent, and obstruction of justice. The most severe charge, neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, is a Level 3 felony, which carries a potential sentence of up to 16 years in prison.
The incident came to light when police were called to the woman’s residence last week after receiving a report about crying children. A neighbor had heard the cries of two babies – one 1-week old newborn and the other 1-year-old baby – coming from inside the home. When officers arrived, they forced entry into the house and discovered the infants inside, both covered in f-ces and showing signs of distress, local news outlet Star Press reported.
The 1-week-old newborn was reportedly urgently cyanotic, with blue hands, feet, and mouth, indicating malnutrition and dehydration. The infant also weighed less than when born a few days prior. The 1-year-old child appeared to be in good health but had a severely full diaper.
The babies were rushed to a local hospital, where the newborn was admitted with a feeding tube for treatment, while the older child was checked and cleared by medical professionals. Authorities also found multiple open cans of alcohol inside the home, further raising concerns about the mother’s neglect.
The investigation into the mother’s actions began earlier that morning when police were dispatched to a location where the mother had crashed her vehicle into a utility pole. Upon arrival, officers observed that she was intoxicated, displaying slurred speech. They noticed a car seat in the back of her vehicle and inquired about children.
The woman initially denied having any dependents. However, after being transported to the county jail, she eventually admitted to having babies but refused to provide her home address or any emergency contact information for the children. Later, she revealed that she had left her children alone at home while she went out to drink after consuming six beers at home, FOX59 reported.
The mother reportedly left the children alone from around midnight until the afternoon when the authorities were alerted. During questioning, she explained that she had intended to go to a liquor store but ended up staying at the bar. It was determined that she had multiple opportunities to inform law enforcement about her children but chose not to do so. She had also been asked directly about her children by jail staff and law enforcement but refused to provide any details.
The severity of the charges against the mother highlights the dangers of leaving young children unattended, particularly under the influence of alcohol. Authorities are continuing their investigation, and formal charges are expected to be filed following the review by the prosecutor’s office. The case also raises concerns about child welfare and the importance of responsible parenting.
The mother is being held at the county jail with a bond set at $42,500. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the safety and well-being of the children, with the mother’s actions drawing significant public attention to the risks of neglect and substance abuse in parenting.