There’s quite a debate among parents about what age is old enough to leave a child alone. It depends on many factors, and some kids are ready for the responsibility sooner than others. We can all agree that a 6-month-old baby is too young for the job though, right? Kira Faust, a 19-year-old mom from Maryland, apparently doesn’t think so. She allegedly left her infant home alone in a dirty apartment for what might be the most ridiculous reason we’ve ever heard.
Police received a call for a welfare check at Faust’s residence.
According to a news release from the Aberdeen Police Department posted to social media, officers were called about an infant left alone at a residence in the 600 block of West Bel Air Avenue. Once inside, police reportedly found the infant in “unsafe and unsanitary living conditions.” Emergency responders took the baby to UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center for evaluation and essential baby supplies.
The hunt was on for Faust.
@truecrimewithmegan #arrested #truecrime #neglect #maryland #kirafaust ♬ original sound – True Crime with Megan
Aberdeen police partnered with the Bel Air Police Department to look for Faust. When they finally located the teenage mother, she allegedly admitted to leaving her baby at home to meet friends at a McDonald’s in Bel Air, according to the news release.
Last time we checked, McDonald’s is among the most kid-friendly places in the entire world, so why could her baby not go along with her?
Police apparently had the same thought and arrested Faust on a child neglect charge. She was later released from jail on her own recognizance. The baby was placed with Child Protective Services for “safe placement.”
The story enraged readers.
It’s no surprise that as Faust’s story began to spread, so did the opinions and judgments. Unfortunately for this mother, people didn’t have much compassion.
“I just want to know the logic behind leaving an infant home unattended to go get McDonald’s,” someone wrote on the police department’s post.
Others hope Faust will remain accountable.
“Kudos for actually pressing charges. Now let’s see what the judge figures out for accountability…or if there will be any, “ a comment reads.
One reader made a very profound statement: Parenthood looks like it’s all fun and games, but you have to be ready to sacrifice your entire life for your child.
“Don’t gotta be grown to have a baby but you gotta be grown to care for a baby. Reading this as my 6.5 month old sleeps on me, hurts my soul. Bless that baby,” the person commented.
Several people mentioned that Faust struggles with addiction. We don’t know if there’s any truth to that, but it seems reasonable that something was stopping her from making good decisions for herself and her baby.
Influencers and TV shows sometimes glamorize teenage parenting and make it seem simple. It’s 100% not. Being a mom is the hardest and most rewarding job, but you have to be ready to do it all. That might just mean taking the baby to McDonald’s. Or if you can’t, skipping the fries for now.
