A Des Moines mother has been charged with child endangerment after her child was found home alone Monday.
Hallie Amick, 30, of Des Moines, was charged with child endangerment bodily injury and narcotics possession schedule I. She has been released from the Polk County Jail on Tuesday.
Police reported that when they arrived at the home they found the 2-year-old boy in the backyard alone wearing only a T-shirt and a diaper that was “full and sagging.”
The child was sucking on a frozen chicken breast while a small dog was jumping on the boy trying to get the chicken, according to the police report. Police said the Department of Human Services was called to the scene.
Police reported that when the mother returned home she lied to them saying it was the first time she has left the child alone. When questioned, police said the mother later “admitted she has left (the boy) home alone on occasions.”
Police said they learned about the case when Amick’s boyfriend, James Robinson, was pulled over by police while speeding and he told authorities he was rushing home because there was a child at his house who was alone.
A neighbor reported finding the boy alone in the middle of the street when they first moved in, saying they don’t watch him very well.
Neighbor Deborah Snyder said the actions that led to Monday afternoon’s arrest is not an isolated incident.
Snyder should know because she has the perfect view from her apartment balcony that overlooks the backyard of the house on East Emma Avenue where police found a toddler.