An investigation Monday night on North O’Neal Avenue led to the arrest of a woman for child abuse and drug charges.
Hopkinsville police officers were called to a home in the 100 block of North O’Neal to check the welfare of children who had been left alone.
Investigators determined 37-year old Irean Coleman of Hopkinsville had left a six-year old daughter in charge of watching her siblings—a four-year old, two-year old and seven-month old. The oldest child told police the baby wouldn’t stop crying and that she needed help.
The children’s uncle came to the house and told police it wasn’t the first time this had happened and that he and his wife have custody of another child of Coleman’s.
Police say Coleman’s home was dirty with bugs in multiple areas and that there was very minimal furniture for the children.
The six-year old told police her mother left in the morning with a backpack and that she hadn’t eaten since the morning.
Police say all four children had dirty diapers and diaper rash.
Family members looking for wipes and diapers reportedly found a backpack in a crib that contained a methamphetamine pipe. A search also allegedly turned up a baggie of synthetic drugs and a baggie of meth.
Officers remained in the area and found Coleman back home at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.
She was arrested and charged with four counts each of criminal child abuse, abandonment of a minor, first-degree wanton endangerment and endangering the welfare of a minor. She was also charged with possession of meth and drug paraphernalia and trafficking in synthetic drugs.