Mother Allegedly Leaves New child Child, Toddler Residence to Drink at Bar: Police

A mother in Indiana allegedly left her two young children, ages 1 and 1 week, at residence to go drink at a bar — and police later discovered them lined in feces, with the youngest exhibiting indicators of malnutrition.

Police discovered Sandra Henriquez, 32, within the early morning of Wednesday, March 12, after officers responded to a report {that a} automobile had struck a pole, in keeping with CBS 4, Indianapolis’ FOX 59 and Muncie newspaper The Star Press.

Officers requested Henriquez, who was described as having slurred speech, if she had any kids after noticing a automotive seat in her automobile, and he or she didn’t reply, the shops reported. 

Following the collision, Henriquez was taken to the hospital after which to jail. She initially informed authorities she had no dependents, per The Star Press, however later admitted that she did have kids and was “unwilling” to share her residence deal with.

In line with the newspaper, one officer wrote that the mother of two “had a number of alternatives to tell officers and different workers about her kids being residence alone,” and “was even requested about kids, however refused to offer that data.”

Whereas Henriquez was in custody, Muncie Police Division officers responded to her residence round 2:30 p.m. native time on March 12 for a separate name reporting two infants crying inside the house, per FOX 59 and CBS 4. Police have been additionally informed that the youngsters, a new child and toddler, have been locked within the residence, The Star Press reported.

After police arrived, they needed to pressure entry into the house. They then discovered each the 1-year-old and 1-week-old lined in feces, in keeping with courtroom paperwork obtained by CBS 4 FOX 59.

An affidavit seen by The Star Press mentioned the toddler was allegedly lined in feces and urine and was described as “urgently cyanotic.”

Reportedly weighing lower than after they have been born a couple of days earlier, the new child — who was “blue within the fingers, ft and across the mouth,” seemingly attributable to malnutrition — was rushed to an area hospital, together with the older baby, in keeping with courtroom data cited by CBS 4, FOX 59 and The Star Press. 

The child was admitted to the hospital with a feeding tube, whereas the 1-year-old was reported to be in good well being, apart from a really full diaper, the shops reported.

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Henriquez allegedly informed police she left her residence simply after midnight on March 12 with intent to go to a liquor retailer, however ended up going to an area Muncie sports activities bar, Huge Pictures Pub, as an alternative, the newspaper reported.

She additionally allegedly informed detectives that she drank a complete six-pack of beer earlier than she left, per courtroom paperwork cited by CBS 4 and FOX 59.

Based mostly on the mother’s alleged admissions to police, authorities consider that her children spent 14 hours alone on the residence, the place police additionally reportedly noticed a number of open cans of alcohol and a canine caged with out meals or water, CBS 4 and FOX 59 reported.

The Muncie Police Division and Delaware County Sheriff’s Workplace didn’t instantly reply to PEOPLE’s requests for touch upon Saturday, March 15.

As of Thursday, March 13, Henriquez was being held in jail on a $42,500 bond and now faces a number of neglect-related prices, The Star Press reported.

Per FOX 59, she has been charged with neglect of dependent leading to severe bodily harm, neglect of dependent abandonment and two counts for neglect of dependent, all of that are felony prices. She additionally faces one rely of felony obstruction of justice.

It’s not instantly clear if Henriquez has authorized illustration to touch upon her behalf.

When you suspect baby abuse, name the Childhelp Nationwide Little one Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Little one or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is obtainable 24/7 in additional than 170 languages.