After Her Baby Died, She Got Probation. Now Another Child’s Disturbing Call for Help Has Sparked New Charges

Mom Faces Charges After Leaving Four Kids Home Alone to See Girlfriend

An Indiana mother, Tenisha Echols, 27, is facing serious charges after allegedly leaving her four children home alone to spend time with her girlfriend. Echols now faces four counts of child neglect, as reported in a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE. The incident unfolded when Echols’ 8-year-old daughter contacted her grandmother, expressing concern that she and her siblings, aged 6, 2, and four months, could not locate their mother and required assistance.

This is not the first time Echols has been embroiled in legal issues related to child neglect. In 2019, her six-month-old daughter tragically passed away due to blunt force trauma after being left unattended at home. Despite this, Echols managed to avoid jail time by agreeing to a guilty plea for neglect causing serious harm, resulting in the dismissal of a neglect resulting in death charge against her. At the time of the recent incident, Echols was still serving her probationary period from the 2019 case, with only 41 days left before completion.

Authorities were informed of the situation after Echols’ mother reached out upon speaking with her granddaughter. Upon inspection, the house was reportedly in disarray, with the infant found sleeping in a pack-and-play and the 2-year-old resorting to drinking water from the toilet. The oldest sibling revealed to the police that their mother frequently left them alone, providing them with breakfast before disappearing for the remainder of the day.

Echols’ mother disclosed that her daughter had recently prioritised her relationship with a new girlfriend over her parental responsibilities. When contacted by law enforcement, Echols claimed she was only away for a brief period to fetch medicine for the children. Despite her explanation, the living conditions inside the apartment raised concerns, with officers noting the lack of sheets on beds and trash scattered across the floor. Echols eventually conceded to occasionally leaving her children unattended, citing inconvenience as her reason for doing so.

Following the events, Echols was promptly arrested and detained at the Marion County Jail. Although bail was set at $4,000, court records indicate that she remains in custody due to a probation violation. Scheduled to appear in court in July, Echols may face trial as early as August. Meanwhile, she is being held at the Adult Detention Center in Indianapolis.

Instances of child neglect are deeply troubling and must be addressed with utmost seriousness. The safety and well-being of children should always be a top priority, and incidents like these underscore the importance of responsible and attentive caregiving. The legal proceedings in this case will hopefully serve as a reminder of the critical role parents play in ensuring the welfare of their children.

If you suspect any form of child abuse or neglect, it is crucial to reach out for help. Contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) for confidential assistance available 24/7 in over 170 languages.

In light of this distressing situation, it is essential for communities to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding the rights and safety of all children. The upcoming court proceedings will be closely monitored as justice is sought for the children affected by this unfortunate incident.