The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Mother charged with endangering children
A mother admitted to leaving her son home alone while she purchased illegal drugs, according to police.
A Lorain mother who admitted to leaving her 6-year-old son home alone April 12 while she purchased illegal drugs was arrested following a traffic stop, according to a Lorain police report.
Wendy A. Allen, 43, of East 29th Street, was charged with possession of drugs/cocaine, drug paraphernalia and endangering children.
The report said Allen was the front seat passenger in a red 1999 Ford Mustang that failed to stop at the stop sign posted at the intersection of West 35th Street and Broadway.
Around 11:40 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop at East 36th Street and Dallas Avenue. The driver, who was identified as 43-yearold Jose D. Alicea of Lorain, was cited for a stop sign violation and driving under suspension, the report said.
Alicea’s two sons, who were described as younger than 8 years old, also were inside the vehicle at the time, the report said.
Alicea was informed he could face additional charges of endangering children for bringing his children with him to purchase illegal drugs.
Upon talking with officers, Alicea admitted to purchasing the drugs and telling Allen to conceal them, the report said.
Allen admitted to having crack, sticking it in her pants and concealing it in her body cavity, according to the report.
She then attempted to remove the bag of illegal drugs, but said she pushed it too far into her body to remove it, according to the report.
While attempting to remove the bag, Allen admitted to leaving her 6-yearold son home alone with the doors unlocked, the report said.
Allen claimed she knew leaving her son home alone to go buy illegal drugs was wrong, but said she has struggled with addiction for some time and the addiction was “too strong,” according to the report.
Officers waited with the boy until a relative arrived and Allen was taken to the Lorain City Jail. As Allen exited the cruiser, a yellow plastic bag containing white rocks fell from her pants and later tested positive for the presence of cocaine, the report said.
Allen appeared in Lorain Municipal Court on April 13 for an arraignment hearing, according to court officials. Court records have yet to indicate when Allen will appear next.
Allen claimed she knew leaving her son home alone to go buy illegal drugs was wrong, but said she has struggled with addiction for some time and the addiction was “too strong,” according to the report.