Small Child, 4, Left Home Alone, Almost Runs Into Roadway, Joliet Police Arrest Mother: Cops

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department made another home alone arrest this week after learning that a 4-year-old child was wandering around near a dangerous intersection.

According to police spokesman Dwayne English, at 1:46 p.m. on Tuesday, officers responded to the area of Hickory Street and Bridge Street for a report of a young child running unattended near the roadway. Upon arriving at the scene, English said the officers learned the child had entered a residence in the 500 block of Summit Street.

Officers responded to the residence and found the 4-year-old girl inside the home. No other occupants were found inside the residence.

English said the officers later identified the child’s mother as
38-year-old Gabriela Lopez of Joliet. The child was taken into protective custody and transported to the Joliet Police Department while officers continued efforts to locate Lopez.

Lopez later returned to the residence and was transported to the police department for questioning.

English said detectives learned Lopez had been at work at the time of the incident. Lopez was subsequently taken into custody on charges of endangering the life or health of
a child. She was processed and released on a notice to appear in court.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services responded to the police department and assumed custody of the child pending further investigation, English pointed out.