West Lebanon mother charged after child found in traffic

Police say the child was left unattended and wandered into the street.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:16pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small toy car on a dark asphalt surface, the harsh lighting and dramatic shadows creating a gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the seriousness of child neglect and the vulnerability of young lives.A discarded toy car left on the street serves as a somber reminder of the real-life consequences of child neglect and the urgent need for greater awareness and support to keep young lives safe.Lebanon Today

A 27-year-old West Lebanon Township woman has been charged with child endangerment after a passerby reported seeing her young child wandering alone in the street. According to police, the caller said they had to put the child back through a window into the residence before leaving the scene.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the serious risks of child neglect and the need for greater awareness and support for parents to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children. Leaving a young child unattended can have devastating consequences, both for the child and the parent.

The details

Police responded to a call on April 8th about a young child wandering alone in the street in West Lebanon Township. A passerby reported seeing the child and said they had to put the child back through a window into the residence before leaving the area. Authorities later identified the child's mother as 27-year-old Jessica Walters and charged her with child endangerment.

  • On April 8, 2026, a passerby reported seeing the child in the street.
  • Police responded to the call and later charged the mother, Jessica Walters, with child endangerment.

The players

Jessica Walters

A 27-year-old West Lebanon Township woman who was charged with child endangerment after her young child was found wandering alone in the street.

Eric Sims

The Lebanon Police Chief who spoke about the incident.

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What they’re saying

“The caller said he had to put the (child) back in the residence through the window, and he shut the window.”

— Unidentified passerby

What’s next

Jessica Walters is scheduled to appear in court on April 22nd to face the child endangerment charges.

The takeaway

This case serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of child supervision and the need for greater resources and support to help parents provide a safe environment for their children. It underscores the vulnerability of young children and the responsibility we all share to look out for their wellbeing.