Mother Arrested in Child Neglect Case
An Anaheim woman was arrested on suspicion of child neglect and drug possession after police said she left her two children, ages 4 months and 1 1/2 years, alone in a filthy apartment for about four hours Tuesday.
About 3:35 a.m., officers went to the apartment in the 100 block of North Syracuse Street, after a neighbor reported hearing a baby crying for two hours, Police Sgt. Joe Vargas said.
As they entered the darkened apartment strewn with trash, “they look down and see what they think is a small doll. It’s the 4-month-old who has fallen asleep on the floor,” wearing only a dirty diaper, Vargas said. The other child was asleep in the bedroom.
In addition to evidence of methamphetamine, the officers found other dangers including sharp objects and a stepladder next to the stove.
About 45 minutes after officers arrived, the children’s mother, Julie Michelle Porter, 22, returned and said she had gone to pick up a friend, police said.
“We were lucky, in this case a neighbor was concerned enough to call,” Vargas said. He encouraged others to call authorities if they’re concerned about the welfare of children they think are in distress. “We do respond, and we do check these out.
“Parents need help too,” he added, citing Porter’s alleged drug possession.
The children were taken to Orangewood Children’s Home.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
