Aberdeen Mother Arrested After Leaving 4-Year-Old Child Unattended

From the Aberdeen Police Department:

On January 9, 2018, at approximately 3:45 p.m., officers responded to the area of James Street and S. Philadelphia Blvd. after a citizen reported finding a child walking alone on the street.

Responding officers met with the concerned citizen and the 4-year-old boy, who was unable to communicate where he lived. Due to the circumstances, authorities issued a social media broadcast requesting public assistance in identifying the child. The child was taken into protective custody and transported to the police department, where Child Protective Services (CPS) was contacted to ensure his safety.

A breakthrough came when a citizen recognized the child’s picture on social media and contacted his mother, Kendra R. McMillan. Upon investigation, officers discovered that McMillan had left her son unsupervised at their residence in the 600 block of Holly Circle while she went to a nearby grocery store. During her absence, the child wandered out of the home and was found walking alone.

As a result, McMillan was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including Neglect of a Minor, Child Desertion, Reckless Endangerment, False Statement to a Police Officer, and Obstruction and Hindering. She is currently awaiting transport to the Harford County Detention Center, where she will appear before a District Court Commissioner.

While this incident was contained within a single jurisdiction, cases involving child custody and parental responsibility can become significantly more complex when state lines are crossed. In situations where custody disputes involve multiple states, legal guidance from an Interstate Child Custody Attorney in Indiana can be essential in navigating the complexities of jurisdiction, parental rights, and state-specific family laws.

Fortunately, in this case, the child was unharmed and remains in the care of Child Protective Services while authorities continue their investigation.