Three Year Old Child Wanders Off, Aunt Arrested

Detectives with the Bossier City Police Department’s Juvenile Unit arrested a woman who left her 3-year old niece unsupervised resulting in the child wandering off to a nearby elementary school this morning.  20-year old Precious Ruth Rhodes was arrested on a charge of child desertion. 

Rhodes was supposed to be watching the child at Rhodes’ home in the 2100 block of South Riverwood Circle when she fell asleep.  The child left the residence and wandered off to nearby Plantation Park Elementary School where she was met by staff who contacted police at approximately 8:15 a.m.  Officers arrived and at the time were unable to identify the child or find out where she lived so they took her to the police station and contacted Child Protective Services who took custody of the girl. 

At approximately 12:40 p.m. police received a call from Rhodes reporting the child missing.  An investigation found Rhodes’ brother dropped the girl off at Rhodes’ home this morning to baby sit the child.  Police subsequently learned the girl who showed up at Plantation Park Elementary School was Rhodes niece.  Detectives booked Rhodes into the Bossier City Jail on the child desertion charge and for having an outstanding warrant from the Shreveport Police Department. 

The child remains in the custody of Child Protective Services pending a hearing.