ELWOOD, Ind. — Officers have arrested two parents after finding their toddler walking around a dollar store.
Deanna Firman, 26, and Justin Doan were both charged with three counts of Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 6 Felony.
The Elwood Police Department was dispatched on Thursday, June 6, at approximately 8:55 a.m. to the area of Dulee Drive in Elwood on a report of a toddler that was walking around alone and only wearing a diaper.
Upon arrival to the scene, officers met with the individual who called 911. The witness said they saw the child walking around the dollar store alone for nearly 20 minutes. The officer recognized the child from two previous incidents in which the child had gotten out of their home.
According to court documents, the officer went to the apartment, and a small child answered the door. When inside, the officer found an adult man in the home sleeping and another young child walking around with diapers on. In the home, the officer saw only one piece of furniture, piles of trash, soiled diapers on the children, and a pungent order that made him gag.
After reviewing with officials, the Madison County Department of Child Services took custody of all three children.
Information will be updated as it becomes available.
