TAKOMA PARK, Md. — A 32-year-old Takoma Park mom, who allegedly left toddlers home alone for hours in unsanitary conditions, is facing multiple charges of child neglect. Police responded to the home multiple times to assist, but said changes were not seen to living conditions.
Officers with the Takoma Park Police Department responded to an apartment on Linden Avenue, off of New Hampshire Avenue, on March 21, just before noon after a report of child neglect. Police were initially contacted by a UPS delivery driver who said that while delivering a package to the home, the door was opened by a toddler. The driver called out for an adult, but was instead met by another toddler, who was crying.
When officers arrived and went into the apartment, they say they found the two young children in unsanitary conditions with no adults around. They also couldn't make contact with a parent. While at the scene, police took care of the toddlers by cleaning them up and buying diapers for them.
The parent, identified as Josiane Sahok, eventually arrived at the home with a 5-year-old child and police were able to determine that the toddlers were left alone for several hours. Before officers left they say they provided Sahok with information for resources for food and other needs. Child Protective Services (CPS) was also notified.
On April 12, around 2 p.m., officers responded to the home again after receiving a call from a construction worker about a small child falling from a third floor window. The child was taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. Police were able to identify the child as one from the previous visit and CPS was again notified.
The next day, April 13, police had a check-in with Sahok at her apartment for the welfare of the children. Upon arrival, they once again described the home conditions as unsanitary and said there was a lack of food for the children. Help was again offered and information on resources provided.
Less than a week later, on Monday, officers obtained an arrest warrant for Sahok charging her with three counts of child neglect. She was arrested Tuesday/
CPS has the three children in custody.
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