A Lowell man is facing a felony neglect charge after a toddler was found wandering alone downtown and nearly made it to nearby railroad tracks, according to court filings. The boy, estimated to be about 4 years old, was wearing only an oversized sweatshirt when a passerby spotted him and called for help. An officer intercepted the child before he reached the rails, raising immediate questions about who was responsible for watching him and what was going on at the home where he had been staying.
Authorities identified the suspect as Ean J. Hescher and charged him with neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony, following the May 31 incident near E. Main and Mill streets, according to reporting by the Chicago Tribune. Court affidavits state that a motorist called 911 when the child would not respond, an officer stopped the boy before he reached the tracks, and paramedics took him to a hospital for evaluation. The Indiana Department of Child Services was notified as part of the investigation, and prosecutors reviewed the affidavit before filing the charge.
County payroll and budget records list a person with the same name in the Lake County sheriff's office, which complicates the public paper trail around the case. Lake County budget documents show an "Ean Hescher" listed as a warrant clerk, and public payroll databases likewise list an Ean Hescher on county rosters. Those records were reviewed alongside the reporting on the case.
Officers Found Home In Poor Condition
When officers followed up at Hescher's residence in the 200 block of Prairie Street, they described the property as "deplorable" in the affidavit, noting unsanitary conditions and hazards inside the home. The child’s mother told investigators that "this only happens when the boy stays with Hescher," according to the Chicago Tribune. Investigators say they documented the scene with photographs and forwarded their findings to prosecutors as part of the neglect case.
What The Charges Mean
Under Indiana law, neglect of a dependent can be charged at several levels; in this case, prosecutors opted for a Level 6 felony, the lowest felony tier in the state. A Level 6 felony carries a possible sentence of roughly six months to two and a half years behind bars and fines of up to $10,000, though judges have some leeway and can, in certain circumstances, reduce the conviction to a misdemeanor at sentencing, according to Justia. For now, the charge is only an allegation, and Hescher is presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove the case in court.
Next Steps
Hescher’s case will move through Lake County courts as investigators and child-welfare officials continue sorting out the details of what happened. The Indiana Department of Child Services is overseeing the boy's immediate welfare while the criminal investigation plays out. County officials have not issued a public statement, and prosecutors have not released further information beyond what appears in the affidavit.
