A 40-year-old woman from Kentucky faces multiple charges after authorities say she left her three young children at an unfamiliar home in Richmond for several hours without permission.
Crystal Neal was arrested and booked into the Madison County Detention Center without bond. She is charged with four counts each of first-degree criminal abuse of a child and abandonment of a minor. Police say the incident occurred on Saturday when Neal dropped off her children ages 6, 5, and 2 at the home while the 11-year-old was visiting a friend there. Neal told the children she was going to get McDonald's but did not ask the homeowner for permission or explain her plans, according to officers. The homeowner contacted Richmond police after becoming confused by the situation. The 2-year-old later ran into the street looking for Neal and was nearly struck by a car. Officers tried calling Neal six times without success and she returned about 30 minutes after police arrived, roughly three hours after dropping off the children. Neal told police she had been trying to obtain an illegal drug. One child reportedly said upon her return, you left us, mom. Neal is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on May 20.