Police in Alaska have arrested a mother after she allegedly left her toddler alone in a car. A Good Samaritan reportedly heard a child crying about 9:30 p.m. March 18, 2025, and called 911 for help. The child’s mother, 38-year-old Lillian Johnson, allegedly abandoned the child in 6-degree Fahrenheit weather for a “romantic rendezvous” inside a hotel in Healy. When emergency crews arrived, the child reportedly showed early-stage hypothermia.
According to a dispatch from the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Johnson allegedly left the child inside her vehicle and turned the engine off. A window was partly open, and temperatures were well below freezing.
“Tri-Valley EMS responded, removed the child from the vehicle, and provided treatment for hypothermia. No parent or guardian was immediately found for the child, and medics transported the 20-month-old to the EMS/Fire Department for additional treatment,” the release explains.
Johnson left the hotel a short time later, and police learned she allegedly met a guest there for a romantic rendezvous. The mother spent about 35 minutes inside the hotel. But when she returned to her car a short time later, EMS crews had already taken her child to a hospital for treatment.
Police arrested Johnson on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree and took her to Fairbanks Correctional Center.
A post about the arrest appeared on the Mat-Su Valley News Facebook page, and people had a lot to say.
One person felt bad for all involved. “Wow, sad for everyone. I have no idea what her story is. Maybe she was working to pay rent or groceries,” the person commented. “35 minutes isn’t long for any other type of romantic rendezvous, but it shouldn’t include leaving a child alone. I hope they both get the help they need.”
Someone else pointed out a double standard: “if the father did that everyone would start asking where is the mother.”
Many commenters offered prayers.
“My prayers are with this child. I’m glad a person stepped in,” someone wrote. “This is not ok. Makes my head spin thinking someone would do this.”
And this person, who wrote, “Sickening. I pray for the most incredible future for this child and people who love and care for this child effortlessly.”
