An Ohio mother is facing charges after her two young daughters were found alone in freezing weather.
Police in Mentor, Ohio, arrested Laura Beitler, 36, after her 3-year-old and 8-year-old daughters were found outside in extremely cold temperatures on Thursday.
Officers were called to a hotel around 12:25 a.m. after someone reported seeing a young child alone in the parking lot. The 3-year-old girl was only wearing a sweater in 8-degree weather. Police took her into their warm car. They learned the girl was staying at the hotel with her family.
When police found the family’s room, the mother, Beitler, said she was asleep and didn’t know her daughter was outside. She then realized her 8-year-old daughter was also missing.
Police and other agencies searched for the older girl and found her outside a nearby hotel. She was wearing only a T-shirt and sneakers in the freezing temperatures. She was also taken to the warm police car.
Both girls were checked by medics and taken to the hospital. They were not hurt.
Beitler was arrested and charged with endangering children. The girls’ father, who had been away due to a family matter, took custody of them.
Police thanked the people who called for help, saying their actions prevented a tragedy. They also reminded parents to watch their children closely in cold weather and never leave them alone, even for a short time, because it can be dangerous.
