Caring for a young child requires constant vigilance, as anyone who has raised children knows. It takes only a few seconds for them to take off on their own or get into what could be a dangerous situation.
A Willimantic, Connecticut, grandmother is facing a criminal charge after her young granddaughter was discovered walking alone several blocks away from her home without shoes on the morning of Oct. 20. Police say that the 3-year-old had been gone from the home 15 minutes when an officer discovered her about 8:30 a.m.
While the child was unharmed, police noted, "we can't have a child that far away from home without supervision. We're talking walking about two different blocks onto a busy thoroughfare here in the city."
According to police, the 47-year-old grandmother was asleep when the little girl unlocked the door and walked out. She reportedly called 911 as soon as she discovered that her granddaughter was missing.
The woman is facing a charge of risk of injury to a minor. She was released from custody on a $1,000 bond.
Friends and people in the community who were interviewed about the incident had different opinions. One family friend noted that the woman is a devoted grandmother who made a mistake that anyone could have made. Another Willimantic resident, however, said that if the child was awake, the grandmother should have been awake.
Sometimes, a moment's lapse in judgment can have tragic consequences. Fortunately, that did not happen in this case. However, criminal charges can be based on what could have happened. If you or a loved one is facing charges over an incident involving a child, be assured that Connecticut prosecutors take such charges seriously. It's essential that you have experienced legal representation to help you present your case and protect your rights.
Source: NBC Connecticut, "Grandmother Arrested After 3-Year-Old Is Found Wandering," Oct. 20, 2015