Woman Arrested for Child Neglect After 5-Year-Old Found Alone in Car
Incident Unfolds in Ives Estates
A woman is behind bars after a 5-year-old girl was found screaming for help inside a car early Monday in Ives Estates, according to authorities.
911 Call Leads to Discovery
An arrest report details that a witness called 911 at around 2 a.m. when she heard the little girl yelling, “Somebody help me!” from inside a car parked at 1601 NE 191st Street. The witness said the girl was alone, unattended, and strapped in her car seat.
Police Response and Arrest
After the witness got the girl out of the car, police arrived and the child showed them the apartment where she lived. That’s where police found the suspect, 33-year-old Valerie Victoria Vincente, “who appeared to be in a sound sleep, was not dressed, disoriented, and seemed to be intoxicated.” Vincente became uncooperative, requested her attorney, and was then arrested.
Child’s Account of Events
According to authorities, after Vincente’s arrest, the 5-year-old explained to police that she went to a bonfire with her mother and fell asleep on the way home. When she woke up, she was alone in their car and tried to unbuckle herself from her car seat but was not able to. The child started screaming for help because she was scared and hungry, the arrest report details.
Arrest and Charges
Vincente was charged with child neglect without great bodily harm. The girl told police which car was theirs, pointing to a blue BMW that was “improperly parked” and had “an empty bottle of wine” on the floorboard in the backseat, authorities said. The window on the passenger side closest to the car seat was also partially lowered.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of children, especially in situations where they may be left unattended. It is crucial for parents and caregivers to be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions to prevent such incidents from occurring.
FAQs
Q: What was the age of the child involved in the incident?
A: The child was 5 years old.
Q: What was the suspect’s name and age?
A: The suspect’s name was Valerie Victoria Vincente, and she was 33 years old.
Q: What was the charge against the suspect?
A: Vincente was charged with child neglect without great bodily harm.
Q: What was the condition of the suspect when police arrived?
A: The suspect appeared to be in a sound sleep, was not dressed, disoriented, and seemed to be intoxicated.
