Police: Mom was smoking crack when child wandered away

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indianapolis Metro child abuse detectives arrested the mother of an 11-month-old child found wandering the streets this weekend.

Tuesday House, 38, faces a preliminary charge of child neglect.

“She said that when she left the house, the person that she was having take care of the child was outside of the house smoking a cigarette. She left and when she left she went out and was at some friends drinking alcohol and smoking crack,” said Detective Julie Dutrieux of the Indianapolis Metro Police Department.

Detective Dutrieux told 24-Hour News 8 she didn't learn House was the child's mother until 29 hours after someone found the child on the corner of 21st and Harding streets at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Jimmie Cushingberry who lives in the area said the girl was walking down the sidewalk and toward a corner candy store. Cushingberry said the child was carrying a red ashtray.

"No kid should be up at that time; they should be inside the crib,” said Cushingberry.

Detective Dutrieux said House returned home around 10:30 p.m. Saturday when she noticed no one was home, she went back out to party more with friends.

"Didn't wake up until the police showed up this morning or early this morning, late last night knocking on the door. So, that was the first she says she knew that her daughter wasn't at her sister's,” said Dutrieux.

This isn't the first time House has been investigated by Child Protective Services. Several years ago, House lost custoy of another child.

Nevaeh's biological father is expected to talk to detectives and Child Protective Services workers on Monday. They are trying to determine if he is a suitable parent.

Meantime, Nevaeh will spend time with a foster family, probably celebrating her first birthday next week with them.