ROY — The case of a lost 2-year-old girl whose caregivers didn't realize she was missing even after she was away for nearly six hours, will result in charges.
Roy Police Chief Greg Whinham said Tuesday that misdemeanor charges of child abuse, child endangerment and marijuana possession were screened with the Roy City Prosecutor's Office. Whinham did not know how many adults would be charged, but he said those who are charged will be subpoenaed to appear in court.
Last week, a toddler was spotted by a passing motorist walking alone next to the road near 1650 West and 4500 South before 7 a.m. Roy police responded to the area and tried to find the girl's parents or guardians but were unsuccessful and took the girl into protective custody.
A family member saw a media report of the missing girl and called officers to tell them who she thought was supposed to be watching the girl. When police went to that house, nearly six hours after she was spotted wandering alone, the four adults inside were unaware the child was missing.
The girl's mother had dropped off her daughter at the house the night before and had even paid the people inside to watch her, Whinham said. The mother's sister was one of the occupants of the house.
Whinham said Tuesday what was still unknown was exactly how long the young girl had been walking alone. She was spotted before 7 a.m., but she could have been outside much longer. He said the girl was still wearing the coat and the same clothes she was wearing when her mother dropped her off.
"It appeared that none or very little attention had been paid to her," he said.
The girl's mother will not be charged, Whinham said, noting that she did everything any regular parent would do when dropping off a child at a baby sitter's house.
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