Shannon Clark, 42, allegedly admitted she left the child home by herself while she was at work, police say.
SHERMANS DALE, Pa. — A Perry County woman is facing multiple charges after police say she left her five-year-old child alone and outdoors while she went to work.
The child was found soaking wet and standing on the front porch of her Carroll Township home by a neighbor, who contacted authorities, according to State Police. The neighbors allowed the child in their home to warm up while waiting for police to arrive.
Shannon Clark, 42, later told police she and her 27-year-old son, who lives in Texas, had been trying to contact the child by phone and Facetime all day.
Clark related that she was a single mother who could not afford daycare, and that leaving the child home alone was “temporary.”
She said she often calls the child to check on her while at work, and typically works eight-hour shifts.
The child told police Clark left for work and “forgot about her,” the complaint states.
She reported that she broke a rule by going outside once Clark had left. The child said she got wet by going swimming in a nearby creek.
Police said the temperature was between 38 and 43 degrees on March 3, the date of the alleged incident.
Witnesses told police they had often seen the child alone during the day.
Clark allegedly admitted that she had left the child home alone for about a week, according to police.
She is charged with five counts of endangering the welfare of children and one count of reckless endangerment.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 21.