Allegedly Drunken Mom Accused of Leaving Sleeping Infant Outside in Rain Storm

A sleeping baby was left outside in a stroller during a rain storm while her drunken mother was warm and dry inside with a male companion and two other children, family court officials in Michigan alleged Wednesday.

The children were removed from their 24-year-old mother’s custody, MLive/The Muskegon Chronicle reports. Police said her blood-alcohol was three times the legal limit at the time.

Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson said it’s unclear how long the infant was left outside in the rain, “but it appears she was out there for some time.” At a minimum, police think she was outside for 45 minutes.

According to a police report, the girl was “soaking wet from the rain storms that came through the area” and was dressed only in a diaper. When EMTs arrived, her body temperature had dropped to below 98.6 degrees and she was “pruned up” from being wet.

She was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation, but does not appear to have permanent injury or damage.

Police officers discovered the 18-month-old baby when they were called to the Muskegon home about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday to do a welfare check on the children, who also include a 4-year-old and a 6-month-old. The 6-month-old is reportedly the child of the woman’s male companion.

The children’s mother and the man were fighting when police arrived, according to the report. The male had an outstanding arrest warrant and attempted to hide from police.

Hilson said police had to force their way into the home, which was “in bad shape, living condition wise.”

The children’s mother failed to show up for a preliminary examination in family court on Wednesday, so her hearing has been adjourned until Friday. It’s unclear whether she will face criminal charges.

The children have temporarily been placed with another adult.

“The kids have been removed from her care,” Hilson said. “They have been temporarily placed with another adult. They aren’t in her care. It’s just a matter of going through the family court proceedings to determine whether or not she will get them back.”