It’s an uncomfortable reality, but child abuse and neglect happen every day. Some of the cases tragically result in the death of innocent children. Recently, a 7-month-old was found dead after a mom abandoned her with her 2-year-old sibling at home.
Police discovered the infant and toddler alone in a Washington state home in February 2025. Since the revelation, police have arrested their unnamed 20-year-old mother. She faces serious charges in connection to the baby girl’s death and the 2-year-old’s neglect.
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The Yakima Police Department responded to a welfare check in late February.
On February 25, officers carried out a welfare check about 7:25 a.m. in Yakima, Washington, according to a news release from the police department. No one responded at the door when they arrived, but officers heard a child crying inside.
“Given the circumstances of the call, officers made an emergency entry to ensure the safety of those inside,” according to the news release.
They found a 7-month-old dead inside.
Once inside the home, officers found a “severely malnourished two-year-old child.” They also discovered a “deceased” 7-month-old infant. Both children were alone.
“The two-year-old was transported by ambulance to the hospital and later transferred to Seattle area Hospital for further care,” the news release noted.
Later, police located and arrested the children’s mother.
Police found the kids’ mom at Squaw Rock RV Resort & Campground, the Tri-City Herald reported. She had driven to the campground, run out of gas, and put a note on the vehicle asking for gas; police said she had not been camping. The mother was taken to Yakima County Jail.
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The mom faces multiple felony charges.
The first-degree felony charges include manslaughter, criminal mistreatment; family abandonment; criminal mistreatment, domestic violence; and family abandonment domestic violence, according to the Herald. An investigation is ongoing.
The Yakima police chief thanked law enforcement and first responders.
In a media conference shared via Facebook, the department, Yakima Police Chief Shawn Boyle reflected on the impact of the case.
“The event is tragic for all of the involved families as well as our community,” he said. “I appreciate the efforts of all law enforcement officers and first responders who work tirelessly to make our community safer and prevent these types of tragedies.”
