A 35-year-old mother from Iowa has been arrested after her toddler fell out of a second-floor window of their apartment while she was outside. The incident has raised serious concerns about child safety and parental negligence.
Toddler Falls from Apartment Window
The tragic incident happened on August 18 in Newton, Iowa. Police said the 1-year-old fell nearly 12 feet from a torn window screen, suffering bruises and cuts on her head. Neighbours immediately witnessed the fall and informed authorities.
Mother Left Children Alone
According to the complaint, the mother, identified as Angelia Varner, admitted to leaving her three children — aged 23 months, 3 years, and 9 years — alone in the apartment. She told police she had gone to the parking lot “just for a few minutes” and had asked her 9-year-old to watch over the younger ones.
Unsafe Window Left Unfixed
When police inspected the home, they found the window screen badly torn. The opening was large enough for a small child to slip through. Varner reportedly admitted she knew about the damaged screen for months but never requested a repair. She said she left the window open to “cool the home.”
Neighbours Report Past Concerns
Neighbours told police that they often saw the children leaning out of the same open window and sometimes playing outside without any adult supervision. They claimed this was not the first time the children were left unattended.
Legal Action and Next Steps
Varner was arrested on one count of child neglect and booked into Jasper County Jail. However, she was later released on her personal recognizance. Her court appearance has been scheduled for September 2, where she will face the charges.
Community Concerns
The case has sparked discussions about child safety, especially the risks of leaving children unattended near open windows. Authorities are also reminding parents and guardians to ensure proper supervision and to take preventive measures to avoid such accidents.
This heartbreaking incident is a reminder of how quickly accidents can happen when children are left alone, even for a short time. Simple precautions like repairing a torn window screen or ensuring constant supervision could prevent such dangerous situations.
Parents and guardians must stay alert and mindful to keep children safe at all times.
