OHIO — A 30-year-old woman was arrested on April 10, 2025, after her toddler was found walking alone near Hamilton Elementary School, according to a press release from the Elyria Police Department.
Officers responded to the scene at around 10:57 a.m. after receiving multiple reports of a young child wrapped in a blanket walking alone on Middle Avenue.
The child, a 3-year-old girl, was located by officers and accompanied to a nearby home in the 1200 block of Middle Avenue. The girl confirmed it was her residence.
Police say they had prior contact at the same address in 2024 over a similar child endangering case involving the same suspect, Chardea Thompson.
When no one answered the door and the rear entrance was found unsecured, officers entered the home out of concern for the child’s welfare.
Inside, they found a 6-year-old boy asleep in a bedroom with no responsible adult present.
Thompson was later contacted by phone and admitted to leaving the children in the care of a relative, who she said was unaware the children were home alone.
She was arrested without incident at approximately 12:18 p.m. and charged with Endangering Children, a fourth-degree felony.
She also had an active arrest warrant from the Ohio State Highway Patrol – Medina Post.
The children were placed in the care of a responsible family member. Lorain County Children Services was notified.
“Our officers responded quickly to a potentially dangerous situation and ensured the safety of these young children,” said Chief of Police James Welsh. “We thank the citizens who acted responsibly by calling police when they saw a child in danger.”
Thompson was transported to the Lorain County Jail.
