The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
An Ohio woman was accused of leaving seven children unattended in a vehicle while she went inside a business to gamble, according to the authorities.
The incident reportedly took place on the night of March 19 in Toledo, where the woman drove to an internet café with all seven children in her car. Investigators said the children ranged in age from 11 months to 15 years old.
According to a criminal complaint, the woman allegedly parked at the business around 9:15 p.m. and went inside shortly afterward. The authorities said she remained there for approximately 40 minutes, during which time the children were left alone in the vehicle without supervision.
Officials further alleged that several additional factors contributed to the risk. The woman was reportedly driving with a suspended license, and investigators said there were no proper car seats in the vehicle for the younger children. These conditions, combined with the length of time the children were left alone, were cited as creating a risk to their health and safety.
Court records showed that the woman is expected to face seven counts of endangering children. She was taken into custody and booked into the local corrections facility following the incident.
During a court appearance the next day, the woman pleaded not guilty to the charges. A judge reportedly ordered her release on her own recognizance, with the condition that she wear a GPS monitoring device. The court also determined that she qualified for a public defender, and one was appointed to represent her.
At the time this was written, the authorities had not released additional details about what prompted the investigation or how the situation came to their attention.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a domestic violence offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.