Police Arrest Woman At Residence On Child Endangerment Charges

MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester police have arrested Stephanie Goddu, 35, of Manchester and charged her with endangerment of the welfare of a child.

Police said Friday they found Goddu at her residence in Manchester.

"She initially refused to comply and barricaded herself in her apartment," a report stated. "After a short time, Goddu did come out and was taken into custody."

The investigation into Goddu began Wednesday when officers were notified that Goddu’s two young children had not been picked up from daycare at Southern NH Services. Employees could not make contact with Goddu by phone, police said. Police were told that Goddu also had a 3-month-old infant.

Manchester officers responded to Goddu’s home to check on her and the baby. Goddu appeared “incoherent and disoriented” and had trouble answering questions according to police.

"The baby was found to be strapped to an infant carrier seat, and was wearing extremely warm clothing and a blanket," Heather Hamel, a department spokeswoman said. "The carrier was not more than 6 feet away from a heater and there was concern that the child could overheat. The child was also found to be covered in urine."

Through their investigation, police also learned that on Monday, Goddu had hired a Lyft driver to take her 3-year-old to daycare. The child arrived safely but was alone in the vehicle.

Hamel added, "Both the condition of the infant and the unsupervised ride to daycare were cause for police to charge Goddu with two counts of Child Endangerment. Police say Goddu did not initially surrender, she was also charged with Resisting Arrest."