Parents Charged After Girl, 11, Is Left Alone For 2 Days: Police

SPRING, TEXAS – The parents of an 11-year-old girl were charged with child endangerment after leaving her alone for two days to go to a concert in Detroit, Michigan, according to police. John Michael Guerrero Jr., 48, and Virginia E. Yearnd, 39, are both charged with endangering a child.

Deputy constables were called to the home in the 6900 block of Worcester Drive on Aug. 23 for a welfare check. Police said the child answered the door when deputies arrived and told them her parents went to Detroit on Aug. 22 to attend a concert.

Deputies tried to call the parents and other family members, but there was no answer, officials said. Police said while they were conducting their investigation at the home, Yearnd called the home and told deputies they were on their way home and asked deputies to leave the child with a neighbor until they returned.

Officials said deputies called Child Protective Services and the girl was turned over to the custody of a neighbor.

The parents were arrested when they returned and taken to the Harris County Jail, police said. Yearnd was later released with her bond set at $1,000. A bond amount for Guerrero has not bet set.

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services states that while there is not a law that determines the proper age when a child can be legally left without supervision, there are certain factors that are considered. Some of those factors include whether or not the child has a disability, if the child is emotionally capable, the hazards and risks of the area, and whether or not they can contact a parent or responsible adult. Click the link to learn more.

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Image: Harris County Sheriff's Office

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