The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A woman was accused of child neglect after she allegedly left a young boy to fend for himself in a residence without electric or water services, and with no food in the home.
A 9-year-old boy who had been living under the supervision of a man until February 9 was reportedly left by himself after the man was placed in jail.
A woman, identified as 39-year-old Autumn Lee Bleede, was reportedly involved in the task of providing care for the boy, but her relationship to him was redacted from the official documents.
On February 5, Bleede allegedly departed from the Cantonment residence where the child was staying and did not return until February 14, when she was reportedly spotted by someone as she left a plate of pastries on the porch of the home before departing.
When the authorities became aware of the possibility that a child had been left on his own for an extended period of time they investigated the situation and spoke with witnesses.
The people who gave reports to the police said that the child had been asking for water and food and that it seemed like he was in a very unclean residence. Some of the witnesses reported that they believed the child was left by himself with no supervision.
The home was inspected by officers, and it was reported that a strong smell of feces was in the residence. The child explained that the utility services had been disconnected because no one had paid the bills.
When the police caught up to Bleede they placed the woman under arrest, and she was let out of jail after paying a $5,000 bond.
If you or someone you love is suspected of child neglect, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.