A woman from Pennsylvania, previously jailed for two days after a tragic incident involving her son, finds herself in legal trouble once more. Arissa Ward, aged 32 and residing in York County, is accused of endangering another child under her care, as reported by the police.

Ward reportedly allowed a 2-year-old boy she was babysitting to wander away from her home. According to a criminal complaint and a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, the toddler was discovered in the middle of a road. Clad in only a shirt and pants, without socks or shoes, he was exposed to the chilly 37-degree weather.

The affidavit notes that the child was “cold to the touch” due to the low temperature.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, a concerned passerby found the child on W. Main Street in Windsor at approximately 8 a.m. on Tuesday and promptly alerted authorities. The subsequent investigation revealed that Ward, responsible for watching the child, had fallen asleep, allowing the toddler to leave the house.

Troopers searched the vicinity and contacted Children and Youth Services, who advised them to check on Arissa Ward. Ward had a history of legal issues, including a conviction for involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment after her 2-month-old son suffocated while she was under the influence, as court records and local reports indicate.

When officers arrived at Ward’s residence, she reportedly answered the door, stating, “I’m babysitting and I just woke up. What is going on?” When questioned about a missing child, she acknowledged, “Yes, yes, but he is not mine,” per the affidavit.

“[The boy’s mom] dropped him off with me this morning,” Ward allegedly told the troopers. “He’s a little boy, he’s 2 … with blonde curly hair.”

The troopers explained to Ward that the child had been with police for two hours and asked “for an explanation,” per the affidavit.

“My kids and I were asleep,” Ward allegedly replied. “I didn’t know he opened up my door.”

Ward claimed she was sleeping in her second-floor bedroom with her own two kids and her dog when the boy’s mother dropped him off around 6:30 a.m., which the mom confirmed with police in an interview.

“[The mother] stated the front door was unlocked, which is not common,” according to the affidavit. “She walked in the residence and took [the boy] upstairs to Ward’s bedroom, which the door was open. [The mother] stated Ward was asleep and she had to wake her up.”

The mom told police that Ward eventually woke up and told her son, “Come here, mom has to go to work.” The mother picked up her son and placed him beside Ward in the bed; Ward then immediately “fell asleep again” and had to be jolted awake once more by the mother, the affidavit says.

“[The mother] stated she did not close the bedroom door behind her, and is not certain if the baby gate was latched behind her,” according to the affidavit. “[The mother] stated she pulled the front door shut as she left.”

Ward began texting the mom around 9:19 a.m., per the affidavit, and allegedly said, “Good morning babe!! Whatcha doin. B— where is you.” The mom responded and said, “Hey girl!!! im at work lol. i was a little late today hope i dont get into trouble lol,” according to police.

About 30 minutes later, Ward allegedly sends a text saying, “Where’s [the boy]???”

This led to the mom calling Ward five times, with each call going to voicemail, the affidavit alleges. The woman received a call from police around 10 a.m. saying her child was in police custody after being found outside, per the affidavit.

Ward was arrested and charged with a felony charge of child endangerment and a misdemeanor charge of recklessly endangering another person. Court records show that she had previously spent two days in prison after suffocating her son in 2016.

Ward pleaded no contest to the involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment charges related to that case. The Patriot-News reported in 2018 that she tested positive for marijuana just six days before her sentencing that June.

Prosecutors had accused Ward of rolling over onto her 2-month-old after passing out while she was drunk and high. The child died from asphyxiation and marijuana was found in his system, which was alleged to be from Ward nursing him.

Under state sentencing guidelines, Ward was supposed to serve at least three months behind bars following her no contest pleas but the judge overseeing her case wanted to give the mom a chance to redeem herself and be free to take care of her surviving daughter, who was 3 at the time, according to The Patriot-News.

“I’m going to give you the opportunity to do a little bit of penance,” the judge reportedly said at Ward’s sentencing. “This will be a chance to prove yourself.”

Ward, who posted bail in her most recent case, is due back in court on May 5.