An Oklahoma couple faces child neglect charges after their two young children were discovered outside in chilly weather wearing inadequate clothing. Police responded to a welfare check and found the toddlers nearly alone in the street. The incident occurred in Oklahoma City on February 20.
On February 20, officers from the Oklahoma City Police Department responded to a welfare check request at a provided address. Before entering the residence, they observed two toddlers in the street, described as being nearly alone. One child was wearing pajamas, while the other had on only a diaper and a T-shirt.
The temperature that day in Oklahoma City ranged from a low of 27 degrees Fahrenheit in the late morning to a high of 51 degrees by early evening, according to historical weather data. A dog was also present with the children outside in the cold. Police identified Christina Dickenson, 22, and Phillip Welch, 21, as the dog's owners and subsequently determined they were the parents of the toddlers.
Dickenson and Welch were arrested on charges of child neglect and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on Wednesday. Each faces one count of child neglect, with bonds set at $50,000 cash or bail. As of the latest reports, the cases have not yet been docketed in the Oklahoma County court system.
The Oklahoma City Police Department has not provided additional details beyond the initial incident report. This case highlights concerns over child safety in extreme weather conditions, though further developments await court proceedings.