Felony Child Endangerment Charges Filed Against Delco Mom: Police

LOWER CHICHESTER TOWNSHIP, PA — Two children were removed from their mother's home and the mom hit with felony charges after one child was found wandering alone in Delaware County.

According to Lower Chichester Police, Kierra S. Forney, 36, of Linwood, was charged with two felony counts of endangering the welfare of a child after a late May incident in Lower Chichester Township.

Police were called to the 1300 block of Market Street at about 6:07 p.m. May 21 for a report of a 4-year-old child being found.

There, police found several concerned citizens awaiting their arrival, with a 4-year-old boy who was outside walking around alone.

Police said the boy, who was unable to provide an address, appeared to be healthy, but was shoeless and appeared to be dirty.

The child had to be picked up by police after he tried to run into traffic, police said.

One officer recognized the child from prior similar incidents, and went to the home where he believed the child lived.

Police then spoke with Forney, the child's mother, at the home.

Police said she was "clearly under the influence of a controlled substance," and said she admitted to taking an undetermined amount of Xanax.

She claimed to have overslept, was lethargic, off balance, and not cognizant of her surroundings, police said.

Police said Forney acknowledged the child was hers and asked for him back, but due to her condition police refused to release the child and contacted the proper authorities to become involved.

Officers also learned that there was a 2-year-old child in the home.

After having both of the children checked by EMS, officers removed both children from the area and awaited the response of Children and Youth Services.

Forney was released from custody Tuesday after posting 10 percent of $20,000 bail and is scheduled for a July 11 preliminary hearing, court records show.