Elyria woman cited after children found alone at home

A 34-year-old Elyria woman was charged with child endangerment after her children were left home alone while she went to the grocery store on Nov. 17, according to an Elyria Police report.

The report stated that around 11 a.m., police officers responded to the 1000 block of Garden Street on a report of a woman fighting with the father of her children at her home.

While the police were knocking on the door, they saw a 10-year-old boy looking out the window. The report stated that the child opened the door and told officers that his parents were not at home. A 2-year-old child was also observed in the room.

The report also stated:

While speaking with the older child, officers observed burns on his hands, multiple scars on his elbows and arms, a large bruise on his hip, and what they thought was possibly a birthmark on his neck.

When asked about his neck and hips, the boy “refused to tell officers where they came from or how he obtained them.” When asked about the burn on his hand, he told officers that a water bottle had melted and dripped onto his hand, causing the burns.

Officers called the children’s mother, who told them she was at the grocery store and could return home if needed.

Officers explained to the woman that the 10-year-old did not appear mature enough to care for her and her two siblings.

Officers also noted in the report that a third child, a 3-year-old, was sleeping in the bedroom at the time of the incident.

The woman told officers she didn’t know how the eldest child was burned and said the marks on his neck and hips had been there “since he was little.”

The fourth child, 9 years old, was at his grandmother’s house at the time of the incident.

The woman was charged with child endangerment and was notified of a mandatory hearing date in Elyria Municipal Court on Nov. 20, the report said. It was also said that the report would be forwarded to child protective services.