Greencastle woman charged with child neglect for leaving kids home alone

Thursday, October 27, 2016

A 31-year-old Greencastle woman has been charged with neglect of a dependent after reportedly leaving two toddlers home alone as she dropped other children off at school Wednesday morning.

Tanya Lynn Yeagley, who was arrested by Greencastle Police Capt. Chris Jones at her North College Avenue residence about 10:30 a.m., was lodged in the Putnam County Jail for neglect of a dependent.

Tanya Yeagley

She reportedly left her two-year-old and a one-year-old she was watching for a friend home alone while taking her three other children to school.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case, the situation began to unfold about 8 a.m. when a neighbor called police to report Yeagley had left a toddler home alone while taking the others to school.

After stops at Deer Meadow Primary and Tzouanakis Intermediate schools, Yeagley returned home about 15 minutes later to find GPD Capt. Chris Jones parked in front of her 211 N. College residence.

The officer said Yeagley "seemed surprised" when approached concerning her toddler's welfare. She originally said she had dropped off her children at school and that no one was in the house.

Once Jones said he still needed to check the residence, she relented and admitted her two-year-old was inside sleeping alone.

But even that proved not totally accurate as Capt. Jones discovered another small child inside sleeping on a couch.

The younger child belongs to a friend of Yeagley who had dropped off the toddler in order to take her five-year-old to Bainbridge Elementary.

Jones' report noted that Yeagley "said she was basically babysitting" until the other woman returned.

The suspect told police it wasn't something she did every day but with it being cold lately and the children just getting over being sick, she didn't want to take them outside.

Yeagley said she left the residence at 7:57 a.m., made the two school stops and went straight back home, all within approximately 15 minutes.

Nonetheless, Capt. Jones advised Yeagley "that small children, like the two left home alone, cannot protect themselves from danger."

The woman admitted "she was dumb for doing it and used poor judgment," the probable cause affidavit noted.

After the one-year-old's mother was called to the North College Avenue home, Jones contacted Department of Child Services (DCS).

Court records note that during a conversation with a DCS official, Yeagley -- a single mother with four children -- admitted it was the third time she has left her baby home alone while taking the others to school in the mornings. Her boyfriend lives with her but leaves for work at 3:30 a.m., so he cannot help run the kids to school.

Jones reported that the other mother "seemed upset to learn (her child) was left alone by Yeagley," saying she would have just taken the child with her had she known she was going to be left home alone.

With Capt. Jones placing Yeagley under arrest for child neglect, she contacted her sister to come to the house and take responsibility for the children.

Yeagley made her initial appearance Friday morning in Putnam Superior Court.

Judge Denny Bridges entered a preliminary not-guilty plea on her behalf to the neglect change and set bond at $10,000 (with 10 percent allowed) or set her release on home detention if she qualifies.

Neglect of a dependent is a Level 6 felony, punishable by 6-30 months in jail.

Mindi Jackman-Hanlin was named her court-appointed legal counsel.

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