Grandmother Charged After Toddler Found Wandering In Bloomfield
BLOOMFIELD (KDKA) – A woman is facing felony charges after her 2-year-old granddaughter was found naked roaming the streets in the bitter cold Thursday night.
Police say it's the second time this week the little girl was found wandering.
Pittsburgh Police say that Erika Rutherford was watching her granddaughter while her daughter was at work.
They say that while this child was under Rutherford's care, she was able to get out of the house and wander the streets of Bloomfield wearing only a pair of boots.
It was right after 6:30 p.m. Thursday when a neighbor on Orwell Way took the toddler inside and called 911. Paramedics took the 2-year-old to Children's Hospital, where she was checked out.
At least 30 minutes later, police say the little girl's grandmother noticed she was missing.
An officer who was trying to find the child's guardian saw it unfold.
"There was police down the street. I actually had friends over and they were like there's police on your street, but I didn't know what it was for," says Annika Bergen.
The officer saw Rutherford, 45, looking around her backyard, then head toward Liberty Avenue. She reportedly saw police, but didn't stop.
It was only after authorities asked her if she was looking for someone that she admitted her granddaughter was missing.
Police say there was an incident with Rutherford and the child just like this one on Monday.
Police brought the girl's mother to Children's Hospital, where she was able to reunite with her daughter.
The child did not suffer serious injuries, despite 13 degree temperatures at the time.
Rutherford is faces felony charges of endangering the welfare of a child.
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