Baby Abandoned In East Hartford Park, Parents Charged: Police

EAST HARTFORD, CT — The parents of a 6-week-old baby in East Hartford have been charged in connection with the baby being left alone outside in a stroller on two separate incidents.

According to the East Hartford Police Department, officers Wednesday arrested and charged Laquasha Thompson, 36, and Sadiki Donalds, 34, with risk of injury to a minor and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Police said both were expected in Manchester Superior Court Wednesday.

According to an EHPD release, Thompson claimed Donalds left the baby unattended in a stroller inside Alumni Park, 740 Main St.

Police said Thompson had the baby with her while she was making a complaint at EHPD headquarters.

According to police, Thompson said she was unsure how long the baby was left outside in the heat.

Police said the baby was examined by the East Hartford Fire Department and transported to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center for further evaluation.

"Thankfully, the baby did not sustain any injuries," wrote police.

During the investigation, police learned of a prior situation that same day involving Thompson and Donalds.

According to police, Thompson dropped the baby off at Donalds' home and left the baby in the driveway, even though she never saw the father.

Police said Donalds was inside the home and came outside as Thompson was walking away.

"An argument took place, as (Donalds) was upset (Thompson) had just left the baby in the driveway. (Thompson) left the baby with (Donalds) and went to work," police wrote.

While at work, police said Thompson received a series of text messages from the baby's father saying "he was going to leave the baby and that he didn’t want anything to do with the baby."

Thompson left work a short time after receiving the alarming messages and went back to Donalds' home where she learned the baby was taken to Alumni Park by Donalds, police said.

That's where Thompson located the baby, unattended, in the park by the playground, added police.

According to the EHPD, Thompson then brought the baby to the police department and made the report.