Mom Unable to Pay Babysitter, Leaves Toddler in Car Near Work, Police Say

A mother who left her unattended 2-year-old in her car while she worked at a Glenview movie theater yesterday is currently under investigation by The Illinois Department of Child and Family services, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The young mother told police she could not afford a babysitter while she worked as part of a cleaning crew at Crown Glen 10 theater, the Tribune reports, but added that she or a coworker checked on the child every 15 minutes. 

Jessica Vasquez, 19, of Round Lake, was charged with endangering the life of a child after Glenview police discovered the 2-year-old in the vehicle's backseat around 2:30 a.m. Monday, police said. The child had been in the car for about an hour while parked in the 2700 block of Aviator Lane, according to authorities.

“It’s totally inappropriate, but the other side of it, is she’s trying to work and make money,” Glenview Police Commander Don Hohs told TribLocal. “That’s not defending her in any way whatsoever. There’s no reason to leave any child like that in the backseat of a car.”

For the full story, including comment from the child welfare agency, click here. 

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