Sitter says mom who hired her over Craigslist abandoned baby

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - An Indianapolis woman told police she was looking for a baby-sitting gig, but instead she was left with tough choices when a child was abandoned by his mother.

Cecilia Long told police she responded to an ad for a baby-sitting job on Craigslist. The mother who posted the ad is now on the run.

“I was trying to help myself and my family, and I got burnt,” Long said. “I thought baby-sitting would be a nice, easy way to help someone else in need and help me, so it was like a win-win situation.”

Long said the ad mentioned immediate need for a baby-sitter. The solicitor, a woman identifying herself as Jen, said she was a single mom, and she would provide food for the baby.

Long said she watched the baby, Kameron, several times and for consecutive nights. She was supposed to earn $75 a day but said she never got paid.

Tuesday, Long said she asked the child’s mother to pick him up and was told, “It wasn’t her problem.”

According to police reports, an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer tried contacting the mother. The officer said the woman told him, “Quit calling my f------ phone.” The officer said he could hear loud music and partying in the background.

Long said the mother told her she worked as a dancer at Rick’s Caberet on West 38th Street, but managers there told police they didn't have any employees by the name of Jen.

Now, the 13-month-old child is in the care of child protective services. As for Long, she said she will think twice before responding to another ad online.

“I’m thankful he is OK, and I provided excellent care,” Long said. “I just feel sorry his mom (doesn’t want) to be a part of his life.”