Background: The 300 block of East Melrose Avenue in Bloomington, Indiana (Google Maps). Inset: Stephanie Wiederhold (Bloomington Police Department).
An Indiana mother left her young children alone at home to be with a man, resulting in the younger child wandering outside in search of her, according to authorities.
Stephanie Wiederhold, 32, faces charges of neglect of a dependent, as indicated by Monroe County court records. The incident reportedly took place on Monday night in Bloomington.
She left her residence on the 300 block of East Melrose Avenue to meet a man, based on an arrest affidavit reviewed by CBS affiliate WXIN in Indianapolis. Wiederhold allegedly stated she felt it was safe to leave because the children were asleep.
However, the children were not asleep for long. The Bloomington Police Department informed Law&Crime that the younger child, a 3-year-old, wandered outside in search of their mother. At approximately 11:30 p.m., neighbors noticed the toddler, prompting law enforcement to arrive at the home.
The older child was 10 years old and possessed their mother’s contact number, according to the police. Authorities contacted Wiederhold, who promptly returned home, reportedly explaining to officers that she had only left to get gas.
Nevertheless, after reviewing surveillance footage from a nearby gas station, investigators found no evidence of her car there, as reported by WXIN. Wiederhold was arrested and detained at the Monroe County Jail, with bail set at a $2,000 surety or $500 cash bond.
Court records show that she has since bonded out.
Wiederhold was scheduled for an initial hearing in court on Friday afternoon.
