An Ottumwa woman faces a felony charge after police say she failed to assist in locating her missing child.
32-year-old Michelle Brown was charged with neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, a Class C felony.
Ottumwa police say on March 3rd, Brown left her 7-year-old son that has a behavior and mental disability in the care of a 5-year-old while she left her home for 1-2 hours.
Brown’s child went missing and court records say Brown contacted police but ran away from officers and refused to provide law enforcement with her son’s name and information which hindered officers’ efforts in finding the child.
According to court documents, the missing child was found walking along Highway 63 with no supervision.
Authorities say Brown knowingly exposed her son to a hazard or danger that he could not reasonably protect himself from.
A warrant for Brown’s arrest was issued on April 13th and she was taken into custody on the same day.
Brown was transported to the Wapello County Jail and later released after posting bond.
Brown’s first court appearance is scheduled for April 20th.
