A Bloomington toddler was found wandering in the road around 2 a.m. Thursday, and investigators say the child’s mother already knew escaping the home was a recurring problem. The late-night discovery led to a felony neglect charge after police said the home was not adequately secured.
The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office filed one count of neglect of a dependent against 28-year-old Katherine Alltop on Friday, according to Fox 59. Alltop is being held in the Monroe County Jail on a $500 cash bond.
Court documents say a neighbor found the toddler outside and contacted police. Investigators allege Alltop had put the child to bed before passing out on the kitchen floor after drinking several shots of 99 Brand alcohol.
Police Say The Toddler Had Escaped Before
According to the charging account, Alltop knew the child had learned to climb out of the crib and open doors, and the toddler had gotten out of the home several times before. Police also noted a makeshift barricade while searching the residence, but determined Alltop remained neglectful because she knew about the child’s behavior and failed to fully secure the door.
Fox 59 reported that witnesses allegedly showed officers video of Alltop passed out inside the kitchen. Alltop reportedly told police she had been cooking while drinking, and investigators said she admitted to passing out after putting the child to bed.
What The Indiana Neglect Charge Means
Indiana law makes it a Level 6 felony to knowingly or intentionally place a dependent in a situation that endangers the child’s life or health, under Indiana Code. The statute also covers abandoning or depriving a dependent of necessary support.
If convicted, Alltop could face six months to 2.5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 under Indiana’s sentencing statute. The advisory sentence for a Level 6 felony is one year, though any sentence would depend on the case and the court.
The arrest comes after another recent Bloomington child-neglect case involving alleged intoxication and a toddler. Hoodline previously reported that police arrested a man after witnesses said he was stumbling downtown while carrying his 2-year-old, though that case involved different allegations and a different defendant.
Alltop remains accused, not convicted, and the charge must be proven in court. The case is pending in Monroe County.
