Wandering toddler looked for mother, SC cops say. Here’s what happened when she was found
A South Carolina woman was recently arrested after her toddler was found alone in a parking lot, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Raven Burgess, a 32-year-old Columbia resident, was charged with unlawful conduct toward a child, Richland County court records show.
Burgess left her child alone at her home Sunday night, the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
At about 10 p.m. Sunday, deputies responded to a call about a toddler who was found alone in a parking lot in the 1300 block of Oakcrest Drive, according to the release. That’s in Columbia, in the area Exit 17 on Interstate 77, which is the junction with U.S. 1/Two Notch Road.
Deputies were told by the caller that the toddler had wandered up to a porch, and the child was looking for their mom, the sheriff’s department said. Deputies asked the toddler to walk them back to the child’s home, according to the release.
There was no one home, but deputies were able to call the homeowner, who they identified as Burgess, the sheriff’s department said. Deputies told Burgess that they were there with her child, according to the release.
During an investigation, deputies learned that Burgess had left the toddler home alone and that the child was in the presence of drugs, the sheriff’s department said.
The toddler was taken into emergency protective custody, according to the release. Information about the child’s condition was not available, but no injuries were reported.
Burgess was booked into Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center Monday, the sheriff’s department said. A $10,000 bond was posted Tuesday, and Burgess is no longer listed on the jail’s inmate roster, records show.
Burgess is scheduled to return to court on May 30, according to court records.
“We are very fortunate that this situation wasn’t any worse than it already is,” Sheriff Leon Lott said in the release. “Parents, the safety of your child must be your number one priority. If you need help, there are resources available to you. Ask for help.”
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