Children found wandering wearing only diapers

Middletown woman charged with two counts of child endangering

A Middletown woman was charged with two counts of child endangering after two children were found Monday afternoon crossing the street unsupervised wearing only diapers.

Police were called to the 500 block of Young Street after a witness said two children were nearly hit by a vehicle while crossing the street. Police were unable to locate the person who was caring for the children, so they were transported to the Middletown police station.

Melinda Barkalow came to the police station to report the two children missing. She told police that she fell asleep after she put the children down for a nap. She said the children walked out of the back door.

Officer Holly Owens said both of their diapers were dirty, so she changed them at the police station.

Police checked the residence and the living conditions were “not good,” according to the police report.

One of the children was released to her mother, and the other was returned to Barkalow. Butler County Children Services was notified, according to police.

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