Takoma Park Police Chief Antonio DeVaul announced this week that 32-year-old Josiane Kameni Sahok was arrested for three counts of child neglect in connection with an incident last week in which a three-year-old boy fell from an apartment window.
According to police spokesperson Cathy Plevy, officers responded at approximately 11:50 a.m. on March 21 to the 1100 block of Linden Ave. for a report of child neglect. The officers were contacted by a UPS delivery driver who reported that a toddler opened the apartment door while delivering a package. The driver called out for an adult but was met by another crying child. Officers responded to the call, entered the apartment, and found two young children who were visibly upset. There were no adults present in the apartment, which was in an unsanitary condition. Despite attempts to contact a parent, officers were unable to do so.
The officers immediately purchased diapers for the toddlers and cleaned them up. In the midst of officers caring for the toddlers, the parent, identified as Sahok, arrived at the apartment with a five-year-old child. Officers determined that the toddlers had been left alone in the apartment for several hours. In addition to providing Sahok with assistance and information regarding resources for food and other necessities, they discussed the dangers of leaving children unattended. Child Protective Services was notified, Plevy said.
On April 12th, at approximately 2:00 p.m., officers responded to the same apartment after receiving a call from a construction worker reporting that a small child had fallen from a third-floor window. Fire and Rescue services responded and transported the child to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The officers determined that this was the same child as in the incident on March 21st and notified Child Protective Services once more.
Following up with Sahok at her apartment on April 13th, officers checked on the welfare of the children. Upon arrival, they discovered that the apartment remained unsanitary and lacked food for the children. The officers once again offered Sahok assistance and information regarding resources that might be of assistance to her.
An arrest warrant was obtained for Sahok on April 17th for child neglect. Sahok was arrested the next day, and Child Protective Services responded to take custody of the three neglected children, Plevy said.
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