Mom arrested after toddler escapes house twice, walks to park

Multiple witnesses saw a 2-year-old walking alone at Scott City Park on two occasions Saturday. The mother said her daughter had learned to unlock the deadbolt of their door and walked nearly a quarter-mile to the pool.

Brandi L. Jackson, 26, of Scott City was detained by Scott City police Saturday and placed in a 24-hour hold. She was issued a summons Monday to appear in front of Judge Scott Horman on July 12 to face a charge of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Police received a report from a witness about 5:30 p.m. Saturday a child was walking around the pond at Scott City Park without adult supervision, and the child walked back to a residence just north of the park, according to the probable-cause affidavit filed by Scott City police officer Travis Sheppard.

Officers arrived at the child’s house in the 1100 block of Nellie Avenue, about two-tenths of a mile from the center of the park, and made contact with Jackson, Sheppard wrote.

Jackson said she was cooking for her five children when she discovered the side door of the residence was open and one of her children was missing, according to the affidavit.

Jackson went outside to search for the child and saw her walking to the residence from the park, Sheppard wrote.

“Jackson stated the child had turned 2 in May,” Sheppard wrote. “Jackson further stated she had five children and has trouble watching them all.”

About an hour later, Scott City officers were called to Scott City pool inside Scott City Park, where two people said they observed a child in a diaper walk from the upper pavilion to the pool without an adult, according to the affidavit.

One of the witnesses contacted Jackson, who later arrived at the scene.

“She stated the child had again unlocked the deadbolt and left the residence,” Sheppard wrote. “Jackson stated she had considered putting a chair in front of the door so the child could not get out but decided against it.”

Jackson was arrested after her husband and mother-in-law arrived on the scene to take care of the children.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address: 1100 block of Nellie Avenue, Scott City, MO