A Crown Point couple are facing charges of neglect following an incident where a 3-year-old child was injured falling out of an open, second-story window.
Renee Parkhurst and Tristan William Grant are each charged with neglect of a dependent that results in bodily injury, a Level 5 felony, and neglect of a dependent — a situation that endangers the dependent, a Level 6 felony.
On March 26, Crown Point police responded to a residence in the 500 block of West Farragut Street for a potential neglect case, according to the probable cause affidavit. Police spoke to a man who was sitting for his two nephews, ages 2 and 3.
The man said he went to feed his reptiles and came back to find the two boys gone, records state. He heard a child crying and found the 2-year-old boy at the top of the stairwell. He went to the parents’ bedroom where a window was open and the bed was underneath it which would have made it possible to climb up and easily access the opening, court records state.
As he looked out, he saw the 3-year-old lying on the concrete patio, crying and badly injured.
He immediately called the parents who came home, the affidavit states.
Medics told police that the 3-year-old boy suffered a broken upper left leg and a cut to his chin in the fall. He was in stable condition at Franciscan Health Crown Point, records state
Court records state that police found the house in complete disarray with garbage cans overflowing with dirty diapers, food, trash and clothing scattered all over the floors, a bathroom that didn’t work, and numerous items that children could get injured on.
A Department of Child Services representative agreed with police that the residence was unsafe for the children. She took temporary custody of the 2-year-old boy, who was uninjured, according to the affidavit.
